Author: Roslyn Sinclair @writingroslyn
Summary: Laurie Holcombe is out of a job, out of luck, and out of time. When a prestigious law firm hires her as an assistant to one of its senior partners, it feels like she might finally get back on her feet. All she has to do is put up with the whims of her infuriatingly icy boss, Diana. How hard could that be?

Diana Parker is Atlanta’s top lawyer and isn’t afraid to let everyone know it. She’s driven, ruthless, demanding, and stuck in a failing marriage. Too bad she can’t run her personal life as well as she runs her ordered office.

When a young assistant shows up with bright blue eyes, a cute Southern accent, and a streak of pink hair, Diana’s sure she’s all wrong for the job. And yet something seems to be pulling her and Laurie Holcombe together, drawing them into a secret, thrilling dance that’s far too dangerous for a boss and employee.

Can they make rules for this powerful attraction, a way to keep each other at arm’s length? But how do you resist the irresistible?
This one has been out for a while but I jumped at the chance to read it!
Likes: The characters have fantastic chemistry and the author is a master of writing the spicy scenes without the sometimes common repetition seen in other books.
Dislikes: The plot is a bit familiar so just keep your expectations low in that regard.
Spice Level: xxxx
Copy provided by @netgalley in exchange for honest review.
#TheXIngredient #NetGalley #wlw #LGBTQ #LesFic #FF ##LGBTQIA #queer #romance #fiction #queerromance #booksbooksbooks #queerbookstagram #IceQueen #AgeGap #WorkplaceRomance #spicy

This was a deliciously spicy, lesbian romance between boss and assistant. I enjoyed the characters but I wish we would’ve gotten a little more insight to Laurie. Roslyn Sinclair is becoming an auto buy for me especially when it involves an ice queen! She writes the chemistry between the characters so beautifully!

I unfortunately couldn't get into this one, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it to someone else!

This was a quick and easy read. While I didn't love it, overall it was a decent story. Very spicy. The pacing was a little off and I found issue with the power dynamics.
I would read from this author again.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A fun queer workplace romp navigating the problematic dynamic of a secret employer-employee relationship.

This one was a very fun and fast read. The dynamic was very interesting and it was one that I got through quickly while loving every minute!

Female/Female relationships seem to be something that is lacking in romance/smut books, and if there is one it usually is something that involves a male. Due to that, I wanted to like this since I know there are people out there who want that in what they’re reading. However, I just couldn’t do it.
It had promise, and I’m sure there are fans of THE X-INGREDIENT out there, but for me the way the story played out was just so awkward. A powerful woman boss is suddenly a submissive to someone who she initially viewed as beneath her. Okay, I guess that could work, except the way it was done just got to me the wrong way. The characters just did this total flip in paragraphs, and it was just hard to get into. The pacing was an issue for me as well; it was extremely rushed, which also goes back to the timing in which the characters completely changed their personalities.
I am quite sure this is going to appeal to someone who is looking for a no-male story, but for me this isn’t one I would put out there.

I managed to snag an early copy of The X Ingredient from NetGalley, and let me tell you, it's the spicy sapphic office romance I've been yearning for. Forget closed doors; passion unfolds in nearly every chapter, leaving no room for ambiguity. This book brilliantly mixes age-gap allure, office dynamics, and classic boss-assistant tension, all wrapped up in a grumpy-sunshine twist.

Diana and Laurie steal the show, their relationship explored with vivid detail. Laurie, confidently navigating her sexuality yet haunted by past regrets, is determined to forge a new path. Diana, trapped in an unwanted life, craves someone to show her genuine living. The chemistry between them crackles, offering a detailed exploration of every nuance. Roslyn Sinclair delivers a tantalizing story, leaving me eager for more romances with the same flavorful punch. The steamy scenes are scorching and never repetitive, keeping you hooked and breathless. While the plot may not be intricate, if you're in the mood for a sexy, no-holds-barred, and downright enjoyable escape, this book has you covered. It's a delightful, steamy, and erotic read for those seeking a passionate getaway.

"The X Ingredient" by Roslyn Sinclair offers a delectable blend of romance and cunning delight. Sinclair's writing sizzles with chemistry, and the characters' journey from enemies to lovers is a delectable treat for fans of contemporary romance.

Thankyou to netgalley and the author for the ARC!
I DNFED it.
I'm sorry I couldn't get through this book
It wasn't acc to my taste so I didn't continue this otherwise I would have gotten into really bad slump !

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

diana parker is a top atlantic lawyer, top of her game and she is in need of a new P.A she is tough at work and tough on her employees

so when she meets laurie holcombe she isnt impressed with her and doesnt think she is up to much but laurie has that certain something and is given a trial run though most dont think she will last the week

but as they get to know each other and learn their ways diana finds that laurie isnt the push over she imagines

wow just wow this book certainly had it all.... and i loved the epilogue at the end.

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors works

This was a fun, steamy, opposites attract age gap ice queen workplace romance. I enjoyed the banter and the angst.

The X Ingredient - Roslyn Sinclair
5/5 STARS 5/5 SPICE

I was given a free advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

This was a perfect sapphic office romance! Reminded me a lot of the office dynamic in The Dreamland Billionaires series. And it was spicy! I have been wanting an actually spicy sapphic book for sooooo long!!!!! No more closed doors baby!!!! I’m talking almost EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER! I would totally recommend this book to a friend. I think if anything this isn’t talked about enough. And Age Gap, Office Romance, Boss x Assistant, Grumpy Sunshine. Will always hit! Never fails. And I promise you get every little detail of how Diana and Laurie unfold! It’s wonderful. I’m a big fan of juicy contemporary romances. If I’m reading contemporary romance I want every detail. Every stupid text, phone call, email I NEED IT! Nothing is worse than having every other chapter say “Two weeks past since we talked…” I mean girl! This left no crumbs behind! Laurie is so confident in herself and her sexuality but she has regrets and doesn’t want her new path to be messed up like the past. Diana has been forcing herself into a life she didn’t want for years now and needs someone to show her how to really live. The two complement each other very well! I look forward to reading more Roslyn Sinclair and can’t wait to find more romances like it!

This wasn't for me. It was too instalusty and no real relationship other than that between the characters. Also, one of the main characters was married when the first (out of the blew) kiss happened?? Cheating is definitely not something I enjoy reading about and it says a lot about the character.. I only finished it for the spice and those parts were okay.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story was such a treat! The characters grew as people and as a couple, they both faced their own insecurities and personal biases. Plus the story was 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you’re looking for a scorching hot sapphic boss/employee toaster oven romance, you’ve found it. Forget gently melting an ice queen’s heart, this book took a blowtorch to it. I’m generally drawn to love stories over lust stories, but the sex scenes are so well-written that even the one’s without tenderness held my interest. The boss/personal assistant dynamic reminded me a lot of The Devil Wears Prada, minus the fashion (though I hear the author’s Carlisle Series is a sapphic The Devil Wears Prada retelling, so I definitely need to read that next). I loved how Laurie, the assistant, ended up being the one in control in the bedroom (with major pleasure dom vibes). That was unexpected. I do wish there’d been a safe word used by the couple, just to avoid any possible consent misunderstandings, but thankfully I never felt like anything crossed into dubcon.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

Loved this story-I have other books by Ms. Sinclair so I was looking forward to reading this one even though it has been out for a while (not sure how I missed it). I love age gap characters and the MCs are well written with great dialog. I did notice some reviews talked about the sex scenes, I personally found them well written (not porn) and tastful for the story.

I enjoyed this story so much I decided to get it in the audiobook format as well-I do recommend headphones for the audio though....smile.....thank you Ms. Sinclair for another great book, look forward to other stories from you.

I was hoping for more chemistry between the two. There is sexual chemistry but the romance is missing. I was hoping to see scenes where I could envision them being happy together outside of sex. It was disappointing that Laurie only gets touched at the end. I got bored with their intimate scenes half the time, especially because there was no build up.

Laurie Holcombe is downsized out of a job, and desperate to find something fast. When she applies at a prestigious law firm and unexpectedly gets hired by super hot ice queen boss Diana Parker, things get spicy pretty quickly.

I loved the give and take of their "arrangement" a lot, but Diana's self-denial was really frustrating to me. Definitely a fun and spicy read if you like age gap, ice queen sapphic workplace romances with a lot of spice, though!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I went into this with an open mind. I’ve read books that were just straight smut and I was definitely thinking this book would be that. But I actually thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved that there was a good story line but the spice was VERY good as well. Like blushing good. I just loved the dynamic where for once Diana didn’t have to be in charge, and she could let Laurie do that for her.