rating: 2.5/5

First of all, I would love to thank Marion De Ré for sending me an ARC of her novel in return for an honest review of this book. I really appreciate this opportunity and I am glad I can share my take on this novel.

In this novel, Lina (FMC) packs up her life in the U.S. and moves to London in order to work at her dream Fashion company. While settling into her new life, she meets Roxy, her coworker and soon-to-be bestie who invites her to a night out at a club. At this club, Lina becomes charmed by a dashing young gentleman who has a "proper English accent that reminds me of Henry Cavill". Lina feels pretty enamored by this man but this reckless party girl who sleeps around is not who Lina truly is, so she does what any socially awkward person does and ditches her date at the club. Now comes Jude (MMC), a nepo baby (lol) and son of the big boss at Lina's company, who just so happens to be the guy Lina ghosted (shocker). In this novel, Lina and Jude navigate their complicated and awkward relationship questioning if they want to pursue their romance or if their jobs are more important to them.

One thing I do love about this book is that the author is an excellent writer. The language was easy to understand, readers could easily grasp and digest all of the ideas thrown at them. I also do like the touch that Jude fell hard and fast but it was kind of annoying because he wouldn't stop mentioning how he constantly f'd things up every time something happened. I think there are many redeeming qualities: Jude was described to be very charming with cutesy hobbies like baking, but in my opinion, this story is so predictable that it completely outweighs the positives.

So, I think it should be noted that I am particularly picky with romance stories because while I love touching moments, I can't stand clichés and often find them fairly cringe. Immediately, I was turned off by just how overexaggerated the author wrote out Lina's awkwardness to be. Like yes, we understand she doesn't like being mean, we read about this in practically 50% of the books being published nowadays. Jude on the other hand, is introduced as a really funny and charming guy which I liked because it's refreshing, but on the other hand, his background is so blah. Like the hot guy with the English accent has daddy issues and now he has to prove that he's capable of being responsible in order to earn his Grandfather's shares in the company. Essentially, picture a 2015 Wattpad fanfiction written by a 13-year-old who just discovered they could create a make-believe romance between them and Niall from 1D. (I'm so sorry but this is literally what reading this felt like). Furthermore, I didn't really like how fast the story progressed. Like okay, we're introduced to the idea that Jude is Lina's boss, then all of a sudden (literally a page after they meet), Jude is asking Lina to go to Fashion Week with him...? Where is the sexual tension between them after finding out their almost hookup is their new coworker?

The reason why I think it's a 2.5 is that I personally didn't enjoy the 'clichéness' of the story, but I will admit it's a relatively heartwarming story where true love does get put to the test.

This was such a cute rom-com, it was exactly what I needed.

It is a workplace romance, grumpy/sunshine, which are two of my favourite tropes of all time!

I also liked the fact that it was a closed-door romance!

The writing of the author was very very good, and it was very easy and light to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Resisting My Boss is a fresh, easy read for anyone looking for a lighthearted love story. The characters are easy to relate to. Lina: a young adult chasing her dream job all the way to London, and Jude: the magazine’s editor in chief and hellbent on proving his father wrong. Jude has his own unique storyline that adds a layer of complexity, but that was needed to really understand his perspective. The book has several unique, unanticipated twists that actually made me squeal! This book was hard to put down!!

This is a great grumpy/sunshine office romance that I could not put down. My favourite scene was the food fight and the cooking lesson! Lina and Jude interaction were fantastic and I loved how passionate Lina was about her job. Definitely reading again and I need more!

Resisting My Boss Marion De Ré is a romantic comedy which will leave you laughing out loud at time I was hooked from the very start and couldn't put it down.
It's a true rom-com with a lot of witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments.
I very much enjoyed this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story.
I also loved her writing style and I loved these characters.
A fun office romance that I couldn’t get enough of.

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

i was debating back and forth between 2.5 and 3 stars - but for the sake of not being able to do halves on goodreads, i’ve settled on 3.
the concept of this book is so good (we love a workplace romance), but it just felt so off. i really liked it in the beginning and was excited to read it, but i didn’t feel any of the chemistry or emotions between jude and lina at all. it felt kind of rushed as well in some parts. for example i would have liked to read more about their time at fashion week, rather than the chapters being cut up so short as the days went on. and a lot of was kind of just bland?
it was definitely a quick read and it’s a closed-door romance, so it’s great for someone who’s into that.

I loved the first book in this series, so I knew I wanted to read the second. Lina met Jude in a bar where they shared a kiss and then she ditched him when it was time to leave. Walking into work the next morning, she wasn’t expecting to have a new boss…and that new boss be the same guy from the bar last night. As they spend more time together at work, Lina realizes that he is not as grumpy as he seems and can really be such a caring guy.

This closed door rom-com was absolutely adorable! I love a good office romance and the fashion magazine aspect was entertaining with the fashion week content as well. I loved Jude and Lina so much separately and even more together. They were both willing to sacrifice for the other. The fact that Jude could bake made me love him even more.

The descriptions in this book really place you in London right from the start. You can feel and smell the city within the author’s writing.

This story follows Lina who recently moved from the US to London to pursue a career as an editor of a big fashion magazine. It’s the job of her dreams, working for a boss whom she loves and admires deeply. Things turn south when her boss, Armande, announces she’s leaving the company and her replacement is Jude Reed – someone Lina “almost” hooked up with at a bar one night, but instead pulled a disappearing act on him.

This creates an uncomfortable situation for them both. There is a chemistry between the two, but it definitely seems to lean more towards the lines of lust than love.

Lina and Jude both come from a broken and toxic past. Something very tragic happened to Lina as a child and Jude has a terrible relationship with his father. Perhaps not enough comedy to truly read like a RomCom genre.

I think this is a great book if you love a lot of workplace drama and tension. I always appreciate closed door romance reads.

Resisting my boss is a typical office romance with its forbidden love and forced proximity tropes, but the usual grumpy x sunshine characters had some refreshing changes. For once our leading man was not completely cold hearted and emotionless as is the norm for these types of plots. Jude still had his guard up but was a lot warmer and more relatable than some of his predecessors.
To balance out his not entirely grumpy character, the main female lead, Lina, was also not entirely sunshine and rainbows. Her strong and fierce development have a great balance to Jude's warm and cozy side.
The subtle hints at past traumas in both cases allowed for the portrayal of coping mechanisms and how they can take shape in varying ways for different people.
This fade to black romance gives you the steamy and intense moments that all romance needs without needing to give you all the dirty details.
The dual pov is always a welcome added bonus and gives you enough time to fall in love with both characters equally.

Resisting My Boss...

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I do love a grumpy/sunshine, close proximity story. This story was great from the start. It is told from both sides, Lina and Jude.
Lina and Jude first meet at a bar, share a kiss and then she Lina stands him up. Only to find a couple days later, he will be her new boss and they will be working closely together. At first Jude comes off so grumpy and rude but then we see his soft side and you just fall in love with him. You can truly see how much he loves and cares for Lina but certain circumstances prevent them being together. Lina most defiantly feels the same way.
I think you will enjoy this great story! Make sure to pick it up!

A cool happily ever after rom-com which is also a comfort read. Though it reminded me of Devil wears Prada in a lot of places, I enjoyed the light-hearted reading. The fashion details were not explained well and it seemed shallow in a lot of places. It looked like the author didn't do the groundwork. The 4 week long Fashion-week part was too fat and went by in a blur. Tye same goes with Jude & Lina's relationship buildip. If we overlook the details, it had a happy ending and some of the parts were good. Going with a 3 star just for the enjoyment the book gave while reading.

This romance was amazing. The banter was so cute and the dynamic between the main characters was so cute. The story line was just what I wanted in a book.

The best thing for me as an avid romance reader is to stumble upon new romance authors whose book I immediately fall in love with.
I found Resisting My Boss on netgalley and within first chapter I knew this will be my new favorite book. It's a light hearted, set in London office romance and they both work in fashion magazine!!! Doesn't this already sold you on the book ? Then hear this, the hero can bake too! He is a grumpy boss who rocks designer suits like no one but also bakes ! Chefs kiss 😙
Lina was my absolute favorite and I related to her so much. She was funny, smart, kind and I loved her.
Jude was the ultimate hero and so much fun to read.
I loved how thier relation progressed through out and how they brought best out of each other.
This book is definitely a must read if you are looking for a light hearted romcom. ❤️

Absolutely love this series so far and very excited to read and share my thoughts on book 2! I love a good love/hate grump to lover type book and ai think this will perfectly fit that genre and Incant wait to share with readers as well!