𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: July 29 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

First off, I want to say thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I always appreciate the chance to discover new authors and fresh stories.

When I first picked up this book, I was hoping for a fun, heartfelt escape and in many ways, it delivered. Katie Evergreen has a style that’s easy to fall into, and while this wasn’t a new favorite for me, I can absolutely see why others might really enjoy it.

The dynamic between the characters had its moments. There was a nice contrast between Ellie’s quirky creativity and Blake’s closed off, brooding energy. I liked how different they were on the surface but still found ways to connect. That kind of opposites attract tension is always fun when it’s done right, and there were some sweet, lighthearted scenes that made me smile.

Though this book didn’t fully win me over. I didn’t hate it, not at all but something about it just didn’t quite click for me emotionally. Maybe it was the pacing, or maybe it was how certain things were handled in the dialogue or character choices.

Another thing that affected my enjoyment was the predictability of the "bad guys". Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that the twist wasn’t very twisty, you could see it coming from early on. For a book centered around a high stakes scandal and corporate mystery, I had hoped for a bit more tension and surprise in that area.

Still, I really appreciate when a book tries to blend romance with bigger plot threads (like the corporate scandal here). This story might not have blown me away, but I didn’t regret reading it either.

Even so, I wouldn’t say I disliked this book. It was…fine. The romance had its sweet moments, the chemistry was there even if it didn’t always leap off the page for me, and the story moved at a good pace. I think a lot of readers, especially those who like light workplace romances with a bit of tech world drama, would enjoy this more than I did.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, workplace romance, friends to lovers, opposite attract

This book was the ultimate rom com, the down on her luck fmc and the billionaire recluse in trouble with the media mmc , hijinks ensue and they find love in the turmoil and drama. I love it! This book has drama for days and the cutest main characters ever. This is a great quick read.

I liked the premise of this book about Blake, a billionaire Mark Zuckerberg type (but nice and very hunky and handsome) who is the victim of some sort of hacking plot to make him look like he’s a real misogynist suddenly posting awful stuff about women. So he’s facing the end of his company and career. And then he suddenly meets Ellie who is kind and believes in him.

It is a bit too much of an instalove story for me. Basically, they completely fall for each other within one or two meetings while Blake is in the middle of this terrible scandal. It was also rather clear who the bad guys were.

Also, no one seemed to notice that his social media feed never had any of these despicable posts and then suddenly, going back months and months, it was full of those feeds. Didn’t that seem strange to people?

Also, why did these two rather intelligent people both have such awful former romantic relationships? Blake could have had any woman he wanted; why was he with such a witch? And Ellie was supposedly really attractive. Why would she have stayed for more than five minutes with this lying loser who constantly denigrated her? It just seemed like those past relationships were penned in by the author for the plot, not for the character.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

In Suddenly Desired, Katie Evergreen crafts a slow-burn billionaire romance that’s equal parts heart, heat, and hope. At the center is Blake Fielding, a tech mogul whose empire crumbles overnight after a scandalous data breach makes him a public punching bag. What he doesn’t expect is to be saved—emotionally and maybe even professionally—by Ellie Mae-Woodward, a quirky, bookish web designer whose dream job at the same company evaporates the moment she arrives for her interview. One company scandal, two upended lives, and a serendipitous riverside meeting change everything.

What makes this story shine is the dynamic between its leads. Blake is guarded, intelligent, and used to control—but Ellie upends all of that with her awkward charm, irreverent humor, and an authenticity he can't ignore. The slow unraveling of their connection is deliciously paced—rich with tension, sharp dialogue, and emotionally honest moments that make you ache and root for them in equal measure.

Thematically, Suddenly Desired goes deeper than your average billionaire romance. It explores what it means to be seen for who you truly are when your image is under fire. Ellie doesn’t fall for the billionaire gloss—she challenges Blake, disarms him, and makes him face his vulnerability. And in return, he sees her in a way no one else has—beyond her insecurities and failed dreams.

Evergreen strikes a delicate balance between external stakes (media frenzy, reputation, lost careers) and internal ones (trust, self-worth, belonging). The emotional arc builds gradually, but satisfyingly, and when the final twist arrives, it hits with both surprise and emotional weight. You feel the risk in Blake’s ultimate choice—his reputation or his heart—and the payoff is sweet, earned, and deeply satisfying.

This is a romance for readers who want more than just steam (though it has that, too). It’s for readers who love love stories where broken pieces fit together, where banter masks longing, and where the risk of falling is exactly what makes it worth it.

I really enjoyed this read!

Katie Evergreen blends romance and mystery perfectly in Suddenly Tempted, delivering a story that’s both fun and emotionally satisfying.

From the very start, I loved the quiet spark between Ellie and Blake — a quirky, bookish web designer and a guarded tech billionaire with everything to lose. Their slow-burn connection felt authentic, with enough tension to keep me turning the pages. I also appreciated the mystery angle involving the hack scandal — it gave the story depth without overshadowing the romance.

Fans of the first book will enjoy seeing the familiar presence of the APEX Billionaires.

There are some hot and spicy scenes too — and while I personally prefer my books like my food, very lightly spiced, these moments were tastefully done. I’d call it more “door ajar” than open — enough steam to satisfy spice-lovers, but still comfortable for those of us who prefer things a little more subtle.

A fab mix of friends-to-lovers, workplace tension, opposites attract, and of course, billionaire drama. Definitely recommended if you like a romance with brains and heart.

Suddenly Desired by Katie Evergreen is a fun friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract billionaire romance with a hint of mystery. When tech mogul Blake Fielding finds himself caught in a damaging hacking scandal, he unexpectedly connects with Ellie Mae-Woodward, a quirky, book-loving web designer. As the stakes rise, so does the chemistry between them, leading to both professional partnership and emotional connection.

I found this story engaging and enjoyed watching Blake and Ellie’s friendship develop into something more. The pacing was smart and the blend of romance with a hint of suspense worked well. However, one side character was particularly frustrating and distracted from the main storyline at times.

It’s worth noting this book is not closed-door; there is a more intimate scene near the end, though it’s brief and not the focus of the story.

Overall, Suddenly Desired is an enjoyable, light summer romance with a unique premise and likable main characters. I appreciated the balance of humor, heart, and just enough tension to keep the story moving.

i actually really liked how this was a friendship to lovers style romance. i realise how much id missed something nice like that as the current trend is for enemies to lovers. this way round was a reminder to keep our feet on the ground in terms of what we read over and over as i was so stark in the difference in a good way.
weve got a billionaire tech hotshot Blake whos world crumbles when there is a huge data breach at work. everyone is now gunning for him. then we have Ellie who thinks her dreams are about to come true. that is until the job shes going for vanishes before shes even tried her shot.
then the two meet at a chance moment and the two form a quick bond and find a friendship within each other.
our two characters were nice to read alongside and there closeness and growing relationship is such a bright and shiny thing throughout. there was emotional depth written to this story and our pair which added a nice layer to it. and the will they wont they was cute. they both have their futures at stake. but they both might find something in each other that could play a bigger part of that future, one they might just want more than anything else.

While I'm tired of the billionaire trope, I did love this book. It's a cute friends/enemies to lovers romcom with a tiny bit of spice.

When billionaire tech mogul Blake Fielding’s world comes crashing down after a devastating data breach scandal, he becomes public enemy number one. At the same time, Ellie Mae-Woodward's shot at her dream job at Heartbook vanishes before it even begins. A random riverside encounter throws these two unlikely people together, leading to an unexpected friendship.
This is a sweet romance between two engaging characters. Their chemistry shines throughout the story, and it was great to see how they support each other, adding emotional depth to the romance. The pacing of the novel keeps things moving; however, the relationship developed a little too quickly to feel fully believable. A slower build would have made their relationship more satisfying to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Katie Evergreen for this eARC!

I enjoyed this book, it was fun, it was easy to read and the romance was good with a good plot. Ellie and Blake really had a time of it, just wanting to be happy and also to clear Blake's name to show the good guy that he is. It was a real will they or won't they?
I would recommend this book to others, especially if you like a billionaire romance, then this is for you!

Blake Fielding has it all - wealth, fame, power - until a devastating hack turns him into the most hated man on the internet. Ellie Mae-Woodward is on the cusp of her dream tech job when the same scandal slams the door shut. A chance meeting by the river brings them together, two strangers with nothing in common but everything to lose. As Blake fights to clear his name and Ellie searches for her next step, their unlikely friendship starts to spark into something more. But when the truth finally surfaces, Blake must decide what matters most: the empire he built or the woman who just might be his future.

Ellie and Blake are both characters with relatable struggles, and I appreciated the attempt to show vulnerability in both of them. While I personally wished for a bit more emotional depth and growth from them, their story touches on some important themes. Blake’s situation felt slightly more fleshed out, but overall, I would’ve liked to see more development in how their challenges were addressed.

The supporting cast stood out and added some energy to the narrative. Even when they were frustrating, they sparked emotion—which is always a good sign that the characters are well-drawn and not just background filler. I found myself reacting more strongly to them than to the leads, which helped keep me engaged.

Though the story has a light tone in places, it also weaves in meaningful topics like misogyny, gaslighting, and toxic masculinity. These elements are present enough that I’d suggest readers check for content warnings if they’re sensitive to such themes.

I loved this book! It had so many cute moments and I loved the romance in this book! And the plot in this book was so fun!

Billionaire Blake is living the good life and owns a top tech company until a scandal crashes his life. Ellie loves her job and is looking for a promotion until one day that chance is completely gone. Together these two team up to help one another and solve the mystery of who ruined Blake's life.

Read if you like:
⭐ Enemies to Lovers
⭐ Opposites Attract
⭐ Little bit of Spice
⭐ Billionaire Romance

Thank you to the publishers and NetGally for this Advanced Release copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This read had some cute and charming moments, but in my opinion, was a little too fast paced and I found it hard to feel invested in the characters or overall story.

I felt that both Ellie (FMC) and Blake (MMC) were both portrayed as damsels in distress. They came across as slightly whiney and it felt as though each of them almost expected their problems to be easily fixable with little effort. While Blake's conundrum was a little more understandable, I still felt there was something lacking to really hook me on the story.

Personally, I think it was almost too fast-paced. Not necessarily how certain events played out, but in the love story in general. I kept forgetting that the bulk of everything happening took place only within a couple of days. I didn't feel that many details were not believable.

There were definitely side-characters that rubbed me the wrong way, which is not a bad thing. I am glad that these characters made me feel something, as I really didn't feel anything towards the MCs. I want to say this was light-hearted, but I don't have any TWs and I do feel that the topics of misogyny, gaslighting, and tox!c masculinity are in the book enough to encourage caution to certain readers to pay attention to the CWs and TWs.

Overall, this wasn't one of my top reads - but it also didn't feel like a total write off. I am glad I got the opportunity to read and provide an honest review (Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books, and Katie Evergreen for the opportunity). This review is my own personal opinion, and may not align with others.

3.5
This book had a nice vibe overall. It had romance, a little bit of drama, and some fun moments too. Blake and Ellie were both very likeable most of the time, even if sometimes I didn’t fully understand their decisions. Blake felt different from the usual rich guy type. He was awkward and sometimes sweet, and I liked that he wasn’t too perfect. Ellie had strong energy at first, and I liked her ambition, but then her confidence came and went, which confused me a bit. Still, their dynamic had something charming, and I enjoyed some of their scenes together, especially in the second half. The romance moved a bit too fast for me, like one moment they were strangers and the next it was already super intense, but that could be a me thing. Some parts were predictable but not in a bad way, and one or two small surprises made it more interesting. The writing style was simple and easy to follow, which I appreciated. In the end, it was a nice read. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

Ellie is leaving a cancelled interview due to a company scandal involving the CEO and happens to run into (literally) the CEO of said company. They have an instant connection and she doesn't believe the man she met could be the same man behind the scandal.

Blake, the CEO, wants to clear his name but he has no proof. He should be in shambles but he can't stop thinking about Ellie, the only person besides his friends that believe he didn't do what he is accused of.

But the question is, can Blake save his name/Company and still get the girl. Or will he have to let her go to protect her?...

If you love a good rom com, you'll love this book.

oh my, what a book! thank you to netgalley & joffe for allowing me to read it - while this arc was book #2 in an ongoing series, I absolutely loved it! the chemistry between ellie & blake from the get go was so fun!

blake is caught in a scandal revolving his current social media network that he is currently the CEO & founder for since day 1 after a series of posts are dropped making him the main laughingstock of the internet, risking losing his company & everything he owns.

meanwhile, ellie has big dreams of her own to launch her own networking site but during her one chance in attempting to come with an offer is the same day the bombshells about blake drop - but it’s fine, because they end up colliding, and that’s what kickstarts multiple meetings after - including ellie now working alongside blake to clear his name once and for all.

honestly, i was really surprised by the writing and the plot - the plot twist and the continued events that fall after really lined up well, and i was actually blown away by the outcomes that would happen! not to mention i thought it was really wholesome to see ellie & blake connect over a love of finding people they consider more than just a “business partner” and wanting to know them for who they really are, even if they’re not “perfect.”

ellie and blake were both extremely strong individuals and together collaborated & blended well in this book, and i really look forward to seeing more of this series - i have to find the first one!

Steamy, swoony, and full of unexpected sparks 💘🔥. Suddenly Desired delivers sizzling chemistry, irresistible tension, and a love story that sweeps you off your feet. Katie Evergreen crafts bold characters and a fast-paced romance packed with heat and heart. I adored the playful banter and steamy moments. Perfect for fans of spicy, feel-good romance with all the butterflies.

Suddenly Desired is the first book by Katie Evergreen I’ve read. I was immediately taken in by the blurb and I would say it adequately sums up what happens in this read. Blake and Ellie were easily likeable characters. They’re both what you would call “underdogs” and “nice people” who seem to get caught up in the drama of some nasty, not so nice, people. Their story is an insta-love so there’s virtually no build up but I did enjoy that they both saw the goodness in each other and took a stand for each other when it counted. I’m grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.