What do you think?
Rate this book
The Contract #1
The Contract
A tyrant by day, a playboy by night. That is the reputation that precedes Richard VanRyan. He lives life the way he wants, no concern for the opinion of others. He cares for no one, is completely unrepentant, and he has no desire to change his ways.
Katharine Elliott works under Richard as his PA. She despises him and his questionable ethics, but endures all the garbage he sends her way, because she needs the job. Her end goal is far more important than the daily abuse and demands she tolerates from her nasty tyrant of a boss.
Until the day, he asks her for something she never expected. A new role with a personal contract — fiancée instead of PA.
What happens when two people who loathe each other, have to live together and act as though they are madly in love?
Sparks.
That’s what happens.
Can the power of love really change a person?
Will they survive the contract?
What do you do when the one person you hate the most becomes the one person you can’t live without?
Katharine Elliott works under Richard as his PA. She despises him and his questionable ethics, but endures all the garbage he sends her way, because she needs the job. Her end goal is far more important than the daily abuse and demands she tolerates from her nasty tyrant of a boss.
Until the day, he asks her for something she never expected. A new role with a personal contract — fiancée instead of PA.
What happens when two people who loathe each other, have to live together and act as though they are madly in love?
Sparks.
That’s what happens.
Can the power of love really change a person?
Will they survive the contract?
What do you do when the one person you hate the most becomes the one person you can’t live without?
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2016
About the author
Melanie Moreland
63 books4,939 followersWelcome Romance Readers!
Join my newsletter for news on upcoming releases and sales CLICK HERE
Make sure to follow me on Amazon for new release alerts CLICK HERE
Join me on Facebook in my reader group CLICK HERE
Check out my excerpts on Verve Romance CLICK HERE
A bit about me:
NYT/WSJ/USAT International bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of lots of lovely years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
Join my newsletter for news on upcoming releases and sales CLICK HERE
Make sure to follow me on Amazon for new release alerts CLICK HERE
Join me on Facebook in my reader group CLICK HERE
Check out my excerpts on Verve Romance CLICK HERE
A bit about me:
NYT/WSJ/USAT International bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of lots of lovely years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,248 reviews
February 10, 2019
3.5 Stars
This was an enyoyable read, especially the first half. It had all the ingredients I love: the asshole of all assholes, a likable heroine, slow burn romance, witty banter, a bit of angst and an interesting plot.
I even bought the hero’s transformation from a total asshole to the sweetest angel that literally happened in a blink of an eye.
However, around 75% mark the cheese fest began...
It dragged for way too long and the dialogue became too sappy for my liking. As a result, I found myself skipping some of the paragraphs. If it hadn't been for that part, I would have given this book higher rating.
Anyway, if you’re in a mood for a light-ish and entertaining billionaire romance, this one is definitely a good choice.
QUICK REVIEW:
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
Writing style: 4/5
Storyline: 3/5
Hero: 4/5
Heroine: 4/5
Secondary characters: 4/5
Hotness/steam: 3/5
Romance: 3.5/5
Angst: 3/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 3/5
Depth of the book: 3/5
POV: dual, 1st person
Recommended for: fans of Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland, Falling for My Husband by Pamela Ann, Hero by Samantha Young, Broken by Lauren Layne, Reasonable Doubt series by Whitney Gracia Williams, Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren, Layers by Sigal Ehrlich, Forever Black by Sandi Lynn
Triggers:
This was an enyoyable read, especially the first half. It had all the ingredients I love: the asshole of all assholes, a likable heroine, slow burn romance, witty banter, a bit of angst and an interesting plot.
I even bought the hero’s transformation from a total asshole to the sweetest angel that literally happened in a blink of an eye.
However, around 75% mark the cheese fest began...
It dragged for way too long and the dialogue became too sappy for my liking. As a result, I found myself skipping some of the paragraphs. If it hadn't been for that part, I would have given this book higher rating.
Anyway, if you’re in a mood for a light-ish and entertaining billionaire romance, this one is definitely a good choice.
QUICK REVIEW:
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
Writing style: 4/5
Storyline: 3/5
Hero: 4/5
Heroine: 4/5
Secondary characters: 4/5
Hotness/steam: 3/5
Romance: 3.5/5
Angst: 3/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 3/5
Depth of the book: 3/5
POV: dual, 1st person
Recommended for: fans of Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland, Falling for My Husband by Pamela Ann, Hero by Samantha Young, Broken by Lauren Layne, Reasonable Doubt series by Whitney Gracia Williams, Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren, Layers by Sigal Ehrlich, Forever Black by Sandi Lynn
Triggers:
September 14, 2019
3-ish Stars
I am a total sucker for this trope and it was done really well here overall. Especially the beginning set up; however, at about 70%, the book stated to flag for me. The story started to drag a little and things got a kinda of cheesy. I also thought the love scenes felt more 90’s historical romance than I was expecting.
I did a fair share of skimming toward the end as the dialogue because a gush-fest and the narrative all tell.
Overall, I enjoyed it though. I just wish it had kept its teeth toward the end.
I am a total sucker for this trope and it was done really well here overall. Especially the beginning set up; however, at about 70%, the book stated to flag for me. The story started to drag a little and things got a kinda of cheesy. I also thought the love scenes felt more 90’s historical romance than I was expecting.
I did a fair share of skimming toward the end as the dialogue because a gush-fest and the narrative all tell.
Overall, I enjoyed it though. I just wish it had kept its teeth toward the end.
January 10, 2017
➦This book here has all kinds of tropes in it but the marriage of convenience trope is the one that caught my attention. Because ME LIKE. I might or might not have a bit of a ladyboner for such a trope.
➦I do admit that gif is a bit creepy. Moving on... So then I find out this also has a bit of a enemies to lovers woven into it with an asshole lawyer on the side for dessert. And then I immediately start sympathizing with the heroine because she seriously deserves a medal for putting up with this douchebag. lol
➦And I do love a good douchebag. But it has to be done right. This guy here, a hot shot lawyer, has an assistant who is PEEEERFECT and instead of being nice to her he does anything in his power to make her life hell.
➦So yeah, the heroine may appear as a total doormat from the first glance but then we start peeling off layers and finding out why she puts up with him. What kind of a situation would make a person stick around working for THAT?
➦Let me get to the point already. Richard, our hero, doesn't make partner at his firm and immediately seeks other employment at which point an opportunity arises to work for another company. Teeny problem, though. The boss there is less than impressed with Richard's reputation and sexual escapades and is probably not going to hire him.
➦BUT NOT TO WORRY! Richard has a plan.
➦Anyways, people, you see where I'm going with this, right???
➦Well, I loved the book and I decided it deserved a
➦What I enjoyed the most was the transition from enemies to friends and from friends to lovers. The way Richard falls in love with his wife is pretty amazing to read about. And steamy scenes were steamy. :) I loved the character development and this book did make me cry - some parts were pretty emotional.
➦Recommended for anyone who likes marriage of convenience/enemies to lovers tropes with redeemable heroes.
P.S. When I showed the teaser to Arianna she immediately started saying how hot Adam Cowie is. Like, she knew his name off the top of her head. Because she's a stalker and probably keeps a book with all the names of these celebrities/models.
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1626057011i/10717098._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
August 16, 2019
The Contract is book one in The Contract series by Melanie Moreland. I’ve read several of Melanie’s recent books but haven’t had a chance to get to the back list. This is one of those times I am asking myself, why, why, why did you wait so long to read this?!
Richard VanRyan works at Anderson, Inc, a cut throat advertising firm. The work environment is toxic, a constant competition between the employees to out do each other and a tyrannical boss. Richard fits right in. He’s a tyrant himself. He’s mean, condescending, full of himself, and impossible. He’s one of those characters in a book that you dislike with everything you have. That you know that there is no way there is anything redeemable in this man. But then you start to see that tiny pin prick of light shining through. Just enough to give you hope that his heart is indeed still beating.
Katharine (Katy) Elliott has worked for Richard for a year and it’s been the worst year of her life. But every day she goes in to the office and does the best possible job she can, no matter how many insults her boss throws at her or how many menial tasks he sets her on. Because she needs this job. She needs the income. She can’t risk ever letting her boss know how she really feels about him.
Richard wanted that promotion to partner and has been passed over for it. Now he just wants revenge. The only other company in town is The Gavin Group. It’s about as opposite to Anderson as it could get. They are all about family and morals. Richard has a reputation. The only way he could ever be considered for the position is if he can convince them he is a changed man, a man who has fallen in love with a good girl. Except he doesn’t know any women who would fit that description, except his secretary, the woman who he has spent the last year making her life miserable. Could he ever convince her to leave Anderson and work for him, live with him as his fake fiancé?
As Richard and Katy spend time together and get to know each other, Richard begins to realize he didn’t know her at all. And he begins to wake up. He begins to realize how awful he really is. And he begins to care.
“Love doesn’t make you weak. Real, honest love, it makes you strong.”
Richard and Katy are living a lie, but is it really still a lie? Is there a chance that maybe what they are feeling is starting to be real?
“Gentle didn’t describe her soul. Not even close. I wasn’t sure I knew a word that did. Angelic, maybe? Whatever it was, whatever she was, I didn’t deserve her forgiveness.”
I don’t think there is a single thing about this book I didn’t love. Yes, Richard was pretty bad in the beginning, but I had hope for him. Sometimes all a man needs is someone to show him the way, to help him to open his heart. And Katy did. Is it enough, though? Can they live with their deceit? Can Katy ever really forgive Richard for how he treated her? Can they really hope that they have a future? You’ll have to pick this up to see.
“You became my force. My light. You became my everything.”
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...
June 10, 2016
Holy frack, I can't stop puking butterflies!
There was cheese people, there's no denying it. So much cheese than even Mickey Mouse suffers from stomach ache. And clichés, it felt like watching The Proposal with a role reversal. But you know what? I love the Proposal (ogling Ryan Reynolds' butt has nothing to do with it) and I love cheese!
Katy's boss is horrible. He's one of those bosses you want to strangle in their sleep, dance around their corpse and feed their body parts to carnivorous animals. And he needs her help. You see, Richard VanRyan wants this job really bad but his reputation precedes him and the only way to convince his future employer that he's changed is to pretend to be engaged to a down-to-earth, sweet and warm girl, and the only candidate is Katy, his PA. And he hates her guts. The feelings are mutual, but Katy is desperate for the money and reluctantly agrees to move in with him and play the dutiful betrothed part, until emotions come to surface that perplex an already perplexed situation. Sounds fun, right?
I'm a sucker for the enemies-that-fall-in-love theme and Melanie Moreland executed it perfectly! The tension and the slowly burning romance turned my insides into goo, and I loved the way my heart constantly fluttered! I was lost in their touches and their kisses, I smiled with their bickerings and sass and I ended up staring at my purple walls, day-dreaming and ignoring the fact that I'm going to die alone.
Richard was ubber-delicious! Bossy, isolated, cold and (let's be honest) a huge asshole that didn't care about anyone besides himself, driven by his selfish motives and always eager to insult, he didn't seem like the guy that could fall in love or fight for the woman he loved. But he did. His developement was heartwarming, the moments he showed that there was kindness in him were equally sexy with his jerkish moments, plus sweet! Katy was the one to find that he actually had a soul, and she helped it come to light. She was a delicate heroine, kind and compassionate, and you wanted to hug and comfort her. You could easily relate to her and understand her insecurities and fears, and you would trade your place with hers in a heartbeat if it meant that you'd get to kiss Richard. Personally, I'd devour him.
The Contract wasn't an original story, but it was an enjoyable one, and I do recommend it if you're in the mood for a book that resembles the typical chick flick movies you so adamantly claim you don't watch but we both know you're lying!
There was cheese people, there's no denying it. So much cheese than even Mickey Mouse suffers from stomach ache. And clichés, it felt like watching The Proposal with a role reversal. But you know what? I love the Proposal (ogling Ryan Reynolds' butt has nothing to do with it) and I love cheese!
“A tyrant at work and a playboy after hours.”
Katy's boss is horrible. He's one of those bosses you want to strangle in their sleep, dance around their corpse and feed their body parts to carnivorous animals. And he needs her help. You see, Richard VanRyan wants this job really bad but his reputation precedes him and the only way to convince his future employer that he's changed is to pretend to be engaged to a down-to-earth, sweet and warm girl, and the only candidate is Katy, his PA. And he hates her guts. The feelings are mutual, but Katy is desperate for the money and reluctantly agrees to move in with him and play the dutiful betrothed part, until emotions come to surface that perplex an already perplexed situation. Sounds fun, right?
“I grabbed my coat and opened the door for her, knowing my life was about to change in ways I never planned. I only hoped it would be worth it.”
I'm a sucker for the enemies-that-fall-in-love theme and Melanie Moreland executed it perfectly! The tension and the slowly burning romance turned my insides into goo, and I loved the way my heart constantly fluttered! I was lost in their touches and their kisses, I smiled with their bickerings and sass and I ended up staring at my purple walls, day-dreaming and ignoring the fact that I'm going to die alone.
Richard was ubber-delicious! Bossy, isolated, cold and (let's be honest) a huge asshole that didn't care about anyone besides himself, driven by his selfish motives and always eager to insult, he didn't seem like the guy that could fall in love or fight for the woman he loved. But he did. His developement was heartwarming, the moments he showed that there was kindness in him were equally sexy with his jerkish moments, plus sweet! Katy was the one to find that he actually had a soul, and she helped it come to light. She was a delicate heroine, kind and compassionate, and you wanted to hug and comfort her. You could easily relate to her and understand her insecurities and fears, and you would trade your place with hers in a heartbeat if it meant that you'd get to kiss Richard. Personally, I'd devour him.
The Contract wasn't an original story, but it was an enjoyable one, and I do recommend it if you're in the mood for a book that resembles the typical chick flick movies you so adamantly claim you don't watch but we both know you're lying!
May 20, 2021
2.5 stars
I’m not sure what went wrong here. I think this could’ve been good, but it kinda lost its way? The beginning was okay, nothing extraordinary but it was fine and enjoyable enough. By the 70% I was ready to DNF it. I almost did a couple of times I just couldn’t handle how cheesy and boring it turned to be.
The hero was a jerk. I didn’t like him from the beginning to the end. And how his character took a sudden turn was so unbelievable. He was suddenly the sweetest human being? And I’m just supposed to believe that? I was also feeling so neutral towards the heroine. I wanna say that I understand why she took all of that and didn’t say a word or fight back, but nope I really don’t? She’s a good person I think. I just hoped she put any kind of fight. I mean even the hero mentioned it⬇️
I don’t like the hero, but he got a point! Because the whole time I was wondering the same thing! Why is just accepting everything! And how she just decided suddenly to just leave? I just didn’t get it. They slept together for the first time and he told her we will talk in the morning and the next morning she’s gone. Like what? How? Why? I’m not sure if this was a bad book or not, I just felt it was so meh and I couldn’t wait for it to be over. I skimmed through the last 30%, which is a lot, and still all I was feeling is yeah fine fine....
I’m not sure what went wrong here. I think this could’ve been good, but it kinda lost its way? The beginning was okay, nothing extraordinary but it was fine and enjoyable enough. By the 70% I was ready to DNF it. I almost did a couple of times I just couldn’t handle how cheesy and boring it turned to be.
The hero was a jerk. I didn’t like him from the beginning to the end. And how his character took a sudden turn was so unbelievable. He was suddenly the sweetest human being? And I’m just supposed to believe that? I was also feeling so neutral towards the heroine. I wanna say that I understand why she took all of that and didn’t say a word or fight back, but nope I really don’t? She’s a good person I think. I just hoped she put any kind of fight. I mean even the hero mentioned it⬇️
“It’s as simple as that for you? After everything, you’ll pack up and follow me?”
I don’t like the hero, but he got a point! Because the whole time I was wondering the same thing! Why is just accepting everything! And how she just decided suddenly to just leave? I just didn’t get it. They slept together for the first time and he told her we will talk in the morning and the next morning she’s gone. Like what? How? Why? I’m not sure if this was a bad book or not, I just felt it was so meh and I couldn’t wait for it to be over. I skimmed through the last 30%, which is a lot, and still all I was feeling is yeah fine fine....
November 23, 2016
4 STARS
”A tyrant at work and a playboy after hours.”
[image error]
Katharine Elliott works for Richard VanRyan as his PA. He’s unappreciative, condescending, arrogant, belittling, and flat out rude to her on a daily basis. Katharine spends a large portion of her pay check paying for the care of the only person who took care of her and loved her as a child. So it goes that our fab heroine, Katharine must accept all that is Richard VanRyan as he is constantly looking for a reason to get her fired.
”My assistant – Katharine Elliott- the bane of my existence. I’d done everything I could to get rid of her, but I’d never had any luck. No matter what task I gave her, she completed it.”
”He made my life hell, and I took it – because I had no other choice. Not yet.”
Richard has been passed up yet again for a promotion and he intends on sticking it to his company and having the last laugh. He wants a position with a family orientated firm and his image of “tyrant and playboy” isn’t going to get him the job. He makes a deal with Katharine to play his fiancee to this kind group of people. The money is just too good to pass up and the heroine even thinks that this move in companies would be the best thing for Richard in the end.
”I’ll guarantee you sixty grand. Six months. Even if we part ways after three. It has to be twice what you make in a year.”
I loved the banter between Katharine and Richard and how with each moment he got to see more of who Katharine really is. I thought the pacing of their fall was well executed and the ending sweet and heartfelt.
[image error]
”Love doesn’t make you weak. Real, honest love – it makes you strong.”
”A tyrant at work and a playboy after hours.”
[image error]
Katharine Elliott works for Richard VanRyan as his PA. He’s unappreciative, condescending, arrogant, belittling, and flat out rude to her on a daily basis. Katharine spends a large portion of her pay check paying for the care of the only person who took care of her and loved her as a child. So it goes that our fab heroine, Katharine must accept all that is Richard VanRyan as he is constantly looking for a reason to get her fired.
”My assistant – Katharine Elliott- the bane of my existence. I’d done everything I could to get rid of her, but I’d never had any luck. No matter what task I gave her, she completed it.”
”He made my life hell, and I took it – because I had no other choice. Not yet.”
Richard has been passed up yet again for a promotion and he intends on sticking it to his company and having the last laugh. He wants a position with a family orientated firm and his image of “tyrant and playboy” isn’t going to get him the job. He makes a deal with Katharine to play his fiancee to this kind group of people. The money is just too good to pass up and the heroine even thinks that this move in companies would be the best thing for Richard in the end.
”I’ll guarantee you sixty grand. Six months. Even if we part ways after three. It has to be twice what you make in a year.”
I loved the banter between Katharine and Richard and how with each moment he got to see more of who Katharine really is. I thought the pacing of their fall was well executed and the ending sweet and heartfelt.
[image error]
”Love doesn’t make you weak. Real, honest love – it makes you strong.”
November 19, 2016
I'm away from home so not much time for reviews. Enjoyed this one. Reminded me a bit of the old Mills and Boon that I read many moons ago. Rich, arsehole wanker boss. Downtrodden secretary or PA if we have to be politically correct here.
Richard was a fucking dick. But for probably not long enough in the book for me. Did he redeem himself? Yeah, he did.
Might edit my review in the future but, in Ireland, dealing with family, is leaving me fucking knackered. xxxxx
Richard was a fucking dick. But for probably not long enough in the book for me. Did he redeem himself? Yeah, he did.
Might edit my review in the future but, in Ireland, dealing with family, is leaving me fucking knackered. xxxxx
August 12, 2017
4 stars!
Review at Of Pens and Pages.
The Contract had everything I wanted in a story—hate to love, marriage of convenience, slow burn! There’s genuine dislike between our a-hole hero and strong and resilient heroine, and it was such a pleasure to read the gradual change in their relationship as they played house.
Richard VanRyan is sick of getting screwed over by his boss and the only other major ad agency in Victoria is his current company’s competitor. Richard wants to jump ship, but the competitor has heard of his tyranny and playboy ways and isn’t impressed. He’s going to have to convince them he’s a changed man if he wants a chance to work for them.
His only hope? His PA, Katharine Elliott. The thing is, he isn’t exactly nice to her. Like, at all. And he doesn’t like her. He thinks she's too meek, too plain, too clumsy, too much of a doormat. But she’s perfect for the role in his scheme and he knows it. Now he’s going to have to beg her to help him, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make it work.
In the beginning of the story, Richard deserved the nickname people often called people who are named Richard usually have, if you get my drift. I swear, Katy had the patience of a saint. He treated her like crap, but she held on because she wanted to keep her aunt Penny in the private home. As their relationship progressed, he became more human, more empathic to others, and definitely more protective over Katy, and eventually aunt Penny.
Katy started out as this total doormat who wouldn’t fight back when Richard treated her like crap, but when they start their arrangement where Richard needs her more than she needs him, she becomes upfront and does not tolerate it when he’s being mean to her. Honestly, I wanted to punch Richard in the eye. I loved it when she put him in his place. I lived for it! Go, Katy!
I loved the progress of their relationship, Richard’s transition from d-bag to a man in love, and Katy’s strength throughout the story. The banter, chemistry, the little moments when we can see things are changing between them. Ahhhh.
I loved the book, but I have to admit some parts in the second half were a little cheesy for my taste. I’ll be honest and say I skimmed some paragraphs. Still, I really enjoyed this book.
If you’re a fan of marriage of convenience/fake relationship stories with a-hole heroes and lovable heroines, you’ll love The Contract.
Tropes: Hate to Love, Fake Engagement, Marriage of Convenience, Boss-Employee
POV: First Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Review at Of Pens and Pages.
The Contract had everything I wanted in a story—hate to love, marriage of convenience, slow burn! There’s genuine dislike between our a-hole hero and strong and resilient heroine, and it was such a pleasure to read the gradual change in their relationship as they played house.
Richard VanRyan is sick of getting screwed over by his boss and the only other major ad agency in Victoria is his current company’s competitor. Richard wants to jump ship, but the competitor has heard of his tyranny and playboy ways and isn’t impressed. He’s going to have to convince them he’s a changed man if he wants a chance to work for them.
His only hope? His PA, Katharine Elliott. The thing is, he isn’t exactly nice to her. Like, at all. And he doesn’t like her. He thinks she's too meek, too plain, too clumsy, too much of a doormat. But she’s perfect for the role in his scheme and he knows it. Now he’s going to have to beg her to help him, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make it work.
In the beginning of the story, Richard deserved the nickname people often called people who are named Richard usually have, if you get my drift. I swear, Katy had the patience of a saint. He treated her like crap, but she held on because she wanted to keep her aunt Penny in the private home. As their relationship progressed, he became more human, more empathic to others, and definitely more protective over Katy, and eventually aunt Penny.
Katy started out as this total doormat who wouldn’t fight back when Richard treated her like crap, but when they start their arrangement where Richard needs her more than she needs him, she becomes upfront and does not tolerate it when he’s being mean to her. Honestly, I wanted to punch Richard in the eye. I loved it when she put him in his place. I lived for it! Go, Katy!
Be careful, Richard, or I’ll take you with me to the shelter and have you neutered!”
I loved the progress of their relationship, Richard’s transition from d-bag to a man in love, and Katy’s strength throughout the story. The banter, chemistry, the little moments when we can see things are changing between them. Ahhhh.
“Because she makes me look at the world in a different way. She grounds me… She makes life brighter. She showed me what real love meant.”
I loved the book, but I have to admit some parts in the second half were a little cheesy for my taste. I’ll be honest and say I skimmed some paragraphs. Still, I really enjoyed this book.
If you’re a fan of marriage of convenience/fake relationship stories with a-hole heroes and lovable heroines, you’ll love The Contract.
Tropes: Hate to Love, Fake Engagement, Marriage of Convenience, Boss-Employee
POV: First Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
July 31, 2017
2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was just ok, and then it wasn't. It lost my interest completely and even though I really should've put it on my dnf shelf -- I skimmed through the last 30%. I didn't find anything really all that special about either characters, and once they developed stronger feelings it became kind of cheesy and just plain unappealing to me. I didn't hate it either. I just completely lost interest tbh. I'm sure others would like this low drama, super sweet story...but it just wasn't for me.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Katy and Richard's story. Katy works as Richard's PA, and after he is passed by for a promotion he is expecting he needs her help. He wants to work for the other big firm in town, but they are against his playboy ways. He needs Katy to play the part of his fiancé. Katy needs the job desperately to provide care for her aunt, and is put in a such a bad situation when he talks about leaving that she has no choice but to accept. They play the act of a loving couple enough for Richard to get the job, but it doesn't end there. Somewhere along the way, they fall in love and get a HEA ending.
POV: This alternated between Katy and Richard's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Not so great. I hit a wall at around 70%, and it never pulled me back in. I frankly just lost interest, and started skimming most of it.
Instalove: No. They take time to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 3 stars. Richard. He was a jerk at first, but he made some major changes to be a better man. He was just ok.
h rating: 3 stars. Katy. She was also just ok. Nothing else really to say.
Sadness level: Low. I never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Moderate/low. They take so long to change their relationship and become intimate that there isn't that much heat (mostly at the end where I was skimming).
Descriptive sex: Yes.
Safe sex: They go without protection and then have a discussion after the fact. The h is on birth control. The H mentions that he had never been without before.
OW/OM drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had ok closure with a HEA ending. Tbh I skimmed a good bit by this point, and I was no longer invested.
How I got it: It was part of my scribed subscription.
Safety: Safe
Overall Opinion: This was just ok, and then it wasn't. It lost my interest completely and even though I really should've put it on my dnf shelf -- I skimmed through the last 30%. I didn't find anything really all that special about either characters, and once they developed stronger feelings it became kind of cheesy and just plain unappealing to me. I didn't hate it either. I just completely lost interest tbh. I'm sure others would like this low drama, super sweet story...but it just wasn't for me.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Katy and Richard's story. Katy works as Richard's PA, and after he is passed by for a promotion he is expecting he needs her help. He wants to work for the other big firm in town, but they are against his playboy ways. He needs Katy to play the part of his fiancé. Katy needs the job desperately to provide care for her aunt, and is put in a such a bad situation when he talks about leaving that she has no choice but to accept. They play the act of a loving couple enough for Richard to get the job, but it doesn't end there. Somewhere along the way, they fall in love and get a HEA ending.
POV: This alternated between Katy and Richard's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Not so great. I hit a wall at around 70%, and it never pulled me back in. I frankly just lost interest, and started skimming most of it.
Instalove: No. They take time to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 3 stars. Richard. He was a jerk at first, but he made some major changes to be a better man. He was just ok.
h rating: 3 stars. Katy. She was also just ok. Nothing else really to say.
Sadness level: Low. I never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Moderate/low. They take so long to change their relationship and become intimate that there isn't that much heat (mostly at the end where I was skimming).
Descriptive sex: Yes.
Safe sex: They go without protection and then have a discussion after the fact. The h is on birth control. The H mentions that he had never been without before.
OW/OM drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had ok closure with a HEA ending. Tbh I skimmed a good bit by this point, and I was no longer invested.
How I got it: It was part of my scribed subscription.
Safety: Safe
November 17, 2016
This was propably the cutest story I've read all year, and you might think I'm crazy since the hero was a complete asshole in the beginning. But the book set such a light and whimsical mood that you couldn't help but be swept up in this modern day fairytale.
Katy's boss is a grade A asshole, he is prime example of what the boss from hell would be like. But when he asks her to pose as his fiance so he can get a job their roles are suddenly reversed. Although you'd never say since Richard takes charge of whatever situation he finds himself in. With the frail care of Katy's aunt becoming even more expensive and living from pay check to pay check, Katy has no choice but to except Richards lucrative offer.
Like I said this was a super fluffy and sometimes angsty read, while the characters did go through some complex emotions and situations and I didn't find it overtly stressful. I probably read it and just the right time, because it was an absolute pleasure to read. Katy's character while timid in the beginning slowly blossomed and showed her trueself, like all good heroines she was strong and self sacrificing to a fault. Richard's character came off as rude and obnoxious but like all tortured heroes there's always a good reason and my heart couldn't help but break on his behalf.
This was a relatively fast read for me and I'm pretty sure it's on account of how much I enjoyed it as apposed to it being the word count. The supporting characters were all wonderfully developed but I do feel like more of Katy's POV would have enriched the story, at least for me. Other than that I would strongly recommend this book if you enjoy modern day fairytales because this definitely fit the bill.
Without her, it was nothing.
Without her, I was nothing.
August 25, 2020
2.5 STARS
It started great, but then the story became predictable and I felt like the plot was just dragging...
Plus, the male narrator was annoying. 🙈🙈🙈
June 3, 2016
"4 Cheesy stars"
"I'm not scared of loving you anymore, Katy.
I'm only scare of losing you."
This book was quite enjoyable and I didn't expect it to be so good! The title kind of prepare you of what's coming. This was my first book by Melanie Moreland and I liked it very much! The writing and the characters were great, although there were parts that some people will find really cheesy but it was ok for me and the end was unnecessarily dragged for a while which it would have been ok if it wasn't. Just saying....
Because it amused me to watch her reaction, I would blow her a kiss
or send her a wink, simply to see her cheeks flush.
In this book we meet Richard and Kathrine. Richard was the biggest asshole EVER!My God the way he talk and behave toward Kathrine was UNBELIEVABLE!!!My mouth was hanging open every damn time, not knowing what was coming next...And he always surprised me!
Kathrine was great from the beginning. She was strong, determined and sweet even though she had to deal with Richard every day and to put up with his insults. Richard thought she was a doormat for putting up with everything but she had her reasons...
I was shocked to realize how much I wanted that. I wanted to be her rock. To be the person she could depend on. I knew I had come to rely on her-for many things in my life.
But when they singed the Contract everything started to change between them....
As I kept reading I really liked how Richard started to change for the better every day, being a different person and I was glad that Kathrine helped him succeed that but it was also something he really enjoyed being different and not always an asshole...
I didn't have everything! Not without you! I had nothing, and without you, it all meant nothing! The one real thing I had, the one honest, real thing was you!"
I liked how they got in a routine talking, teasing, and sharing every little thing. They were good together and that was obvious during the book.
"I like snuggling with you. You're warm and you smell good"
This was an easy reading with great characters and the story line was delivered pretty good. So if you want something easy and nice with some cheesy scenes this is for you.
"Why do you love Katy?"
"Because she makes me look at the world in a different way. She grounds me. She makes life brighter. She showed me what real love meant."
Ok can we swoon for a second over this transformed Richard...???
Thank you very much!
"You can't run. I'll follow you, sweetheart. I'll follow you anywhere.
Don't leave me alone again my Katy. I couldn't bear it."
Keep swooning.....
So this book was really good and I enjoyed it. Richard and Kathrine went through a lot in the past but now they had their future ahead of them ready to fill it with love and sweet moments!
"I knocked you up."
"You did."
"Just the one time, eh? My boys are determined."
Enjoy!xxx
"I'm not scared of loving you anymore, Katy.
I'm only scare of losing you."
This book was quite enjoyable and I didn't expect it to be so good! The title kind of prepare you of what's coming. This was my first book by Melanie Moreland and I liked it very much! The writing and the characters were great, although there were parts that some people will find really cheesy but it was ok for me and the end was unnecessarily dragged for a while which it would have been ok if it wasn't. Just saying....
Because it amused me to watch her reaction, I would blow her a kiss
or send her a wink, simply to see her cheeks flush.
In this book we meet Richard and Kathrine. Richard was the biggest asshole EVER!My God the way he talk and behave toward Kathrine was UNBELIEVABLE!!!My mouth was hanging open every damn time, not knowing what was coming next...And he always surprised me!
Kathrine was great from the beginning. She was strong, determined and sweet even though she had to deal with Richard every day and to put up with his insults. Richard thought she was a doormat for putting up with everything but she had her reasons...
I was shocked to realize how much I wanted that. I wanted to be her rock. To be the person she could depend on. I knew I had come to rely on her-for many things in my life.
But when they singed the Contract everything started to change between them....
As I kept reading I really liked how Richard started to change for the better every day, being a different person and I was glad that Kathrine helped him succeed that but it was also something he really enjoyed being different and not always an asshole...
I didn't have everything! Not without you! I had nothing, and without you, it all meant nothing! The one real thing I had, the one honest, real thing was you!"
I liked how they got in a routine talking, teasing, and sharing every little thing. They were good together and that was obvious during the book.
"I like snuggling with you. You're warm and you smell good"
This was an easy reading with great characters and the story line was delivered pretty good. So if you want something easy and nice with some cheesy scenes this is for you.
"Why do you love Katy?"
"Because she makes me look at the world in a different way. She grounds me. She makes life brighter. She showed me what real love meant."
Ok can we swoon for a second over this transformed Richard...???
Thank you very much!
"You can't run. I'll follow you, sweetheart. I'll follow you anywhere.
Don't leave me alone again my Katy. I couldn't bear it."
Keep swooning.....
So this book was really good and I enjoyed it. Richard and Kathrine went through a lot in the past but now they had their future ahead of them ready to fill it with love and sweet moments!
"I knocked you up."
"You did."
"Just the one time, eh? My boys are determined."
Enjoy!xxx
April 4, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Still a good read*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Re-read: 04.04.2018
I couldn't find anything new that looked interesting enough to read, so like I've done most this year: I did a re-read. The book centers around the blunt and in charge in the advertising industry, Richard VanRyan (32) and his PA, Katharine ‘Katy’ Elliott (how old?). Richard wants revenge for being passed on a promotion, and wants to start working for The Gavin Group. However, the TGG is a family business and Richard is far, far from being a family man.
I twirled her onto the dance floor amid the laughter. She nestled into me as we moved to the music. Once again, it struck me how well she fit to me—the way her head was the perfect height to tuck under my chin. I could smell her soft scent, and enjoyed the silk of her hair on my skin. I beamed as we spun around, our steps in sync.
I had chosen the perfect fake wife.
In fact, he's a cold, ruthless and a playboy, so he needs a plan, an in. That plan involved Katharine; become his fiancé and get money that she desperately need. All she need to do is convince TGG family that they are in love and that Richard is a changed man. However, Richard hadn't anticipated that he'd actually start to like Katherine. Overall, I enjoyed this re-read. Sure, it wasn't as good as it was, but it was definitely worth it and it still made me teary. I liked it.
“No, Richard. You aren’t despicable. I think you’re lost. You haven’t let yourself feel. Once you do, once you allow yourself to connect to someone, I think you’ll find this world is a much better place. Love doesn’t make you weak. Real, honest love—it makes you strong.”
Other characters:
↦ Brian Maxwell, the biggest headhunter in Victoria, a friend of Richard.
↦ Graham Gavin, owner of The Gavin Group and a huge family man. Laura Gavin, his wife. Jenna Gavin, his daughter and becomes Katy's friend.
↦ Penelope ‘Penny’ Johnson, Katy's ‘aunt’ and diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and resided now in a care home.
“When you get older, Richard, you realize life is made up of moments. All sorts of them. Sad ones, good ones, and great ones. They make up the tapestry that is your life. Hold on to all of them—especially the great ones. They make the others easy to take.”
New Rating - 3.5 stars.
First read review:
Duuuuude, I adored this book! Even with a huge test/exam-like test the morning after, I still couldn't put it down. On top of that I had (still having) a bad, bad migraine. Did I stop reading? Fuck no. I couldn't. I needed to know how it all turned out. The story, the characters = sighed! It was a cute, adorable, sweet, funny, sexy, lovable story. Did I mention that I adored it? I didn't L O V E it, but I think I wasn't far off. In fact, I'm sure that if it wasn't for that stupid migraine, I would have indeed loved it. Right now, I just liked it. A lot .
“When you get older, Richard, you realize life is made up of moments. All sorts of them. Sad ones, good ones, and great ones. They make up the tapestry that is your life. Hold on to all of them—especially the great ones. They make the others easy to take.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance
Series: - Series, Book One
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Richard VanRyan
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Most likely.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Yes.
Will I read this again in the future? - Yes, I'm sure of it..
Rating - 4 (.5?) stars.
April 10, 2020
This was one of those "it's not you, it's me" books, and I really struggled with this. Richard was a monumental tool from word one, to the point of being vile and nasty, and he irritated the ever loving hell out of me with his unwarranted and cruel attacks on Katy. She then in turn irritated me by putting up with his crap instead of kneeing him in the nuts and leaving the tosser in her rear view. But I'm afraid I lost any and all respect for her when she has a light bulb moment and agrees to a marriage of convenience, having been ridiculed, maligned, hurt, bullied, etc over and over for a year by this charmer (not!!). 🙄
Most of the book was in his POV, with a little from Katy's and I think this is why I couldn't connect to either character. He was so vile I couldn't be bothered with him, she was such a doormat she did my head in. I sorta got why at first she let him get away with how he tormented her, given her situation, but even after she grew a backbone she still made excuses for him, over and over, ad nauseum. Can you say weak?!?
From about three quarters of the way in it seemed to turn into a cheese-fest which didn't really fit in with the characters or the story. I need to believe in the romance when I'm reading, I didn't get that at all here. A romance is between two people, the only person that really figured in Richard's world is Mr Self-Absorbed Richard, and sadly for me this just didn't work.
Most of the book was in his POV, with a little from Katy's and I think this is why I couldn't connect to either character. He was so vile I couldn't be bothered with him, she was such a doormat she did my head in. I sorta got why at first she let him get away with how he tormented her, given her situation, but even after she grew a backbone she still made excuses for him, over and over, ad nauseum. Can you say weak?!?
From about three quarters of the way in it seemed to turn into a cheese-fest which didn't really fit in with the characters or the story. I need to believe in the romance when I'm reading, I didn't get that at all here. A romance is between two people, the only person that really figured in Richard's world is Mr Self-Absorbed Richard, and sadly for me this just didn't work.
August 1, 2016
This was a great story but I did drag on in places. I loved how he runs after her in the end but honestly it was a slow moving book. This was a comforting read filled with ups and downs.
The hero was a total asshole. I had no idea that I could hate him so much and then at the end love him. He really did grow and the author did a great job of showing his growth. It does come slowly with the realization of who he could be if he allowed himself to feel. Everything he does towards the end is for her benefit.
Wow just awesome.
The heroine we got a limited view of her thoughts but she was honestly way too good to be true at first but then the reader comes to see she is strong and complex. I loved her from the beginning! She becomes this sassy vixen. Too awesome!
I am so glad I gave this book a try it was much better than I thought it would be.
It was a totally believable story and if his place of work existed somewhere. I would be the first in line to get a job there. The people sound just too amazing! The whole staff was a family. Wow!
The story takes you from anger to bliss to despair and then back to bliss.
Totally safe read. No cheating or OM/OW drama.
I totally enjoyed it
The hero was a total asshole. I had no idea that I could hate him so much and then at the end love him. He really did grow and the author did a great job of showing his growth. It does come slowly with the realization of who he could be if he allowed himself to feel. Everything he does towards the end is for her benefit.
Wow just awesome.
The heroine we got a limited view of her thoughts but she was honestly way too good to be true at first but then the reader comes to see she is strong and complex. I loved her from the beginning! She becomes this sassy vixen. Too awesome!
I am so glad I gave this book a try it was much better than I thought it would be.
It was a totally believable story and if his place of work existed somewhere. I would be the first in line to get a job there. The people sound just too amazing! The whole staff was a family. Wow!
The story takes you from anger to bliss to despair and then back to bliss.
Totally safe read. No cheating or OM/OW drama.
I totally enjoyed it
April 20, 2016
5 stars!
"No, Richard. You aren't despicable. I think you're lost. You haven't let yourself feel. Once you do, once you allow yourself to connect to someone, I think you'll find this world is a much better place. Love doesn't make you weak. Real, honest love- it makes you strong."
Ah! Loved this book!
So the story plot is as follows- an eccentric, rich and womanizing man named Richard is looking to leave his old job after being passed up for the role of their new partner. In order for him to go to the new company, he needs to prove to his potential new boss that he has left his playboy ways behind him and currently in love with a woman. Richard and his associate come up with a plan to convince his assistant, Katharine, to go along with his ploy.
Katharine (great name, if I do say so myself!), is far from Richards' "type". The thought of pretending to LOVE each other is something difficult for both of them. She finally accepts his proposal to be his fake fiancé thanks to the huge paycheck that comes with the job. Katharine is having a hard time keeping up with the ever-growing fee to keep her Aunt in a nice nursing home.
I loved Katharine. She was such a headstrong woman and doesn't take crap from anyone- especially not Richard.
"Well, it seemed I now had a fiancé. I was engaged to a man who disliked me, but was willing to try to overlook it, so he could get a new job and piss off his old boss. Certainly, that was the stuff that dreams were made of."
She was a witty, smart, and totally shares the same distain for Richard as he does for her. The two of them bump heads many times throughout this book, and I absolutely loved it. Katharine takes NO shit from Richard and in turn, Richard finds himself confused about the mousy and shy woman that he originally thought she was.
Richard was difficult to like in the beginning. I kept muttering to myself "ugh, what a dick" during many of his snarky remarks to Katharine. But like many alpha males, I slowly grew to love him, just like Katharine! You follow their relationship from the beginning and you truly fall in love with him right along with her. Her emotions and feelings very much mimicked how I would be feeling throughout most of the book and it made her character quite relatable.
I must warn you though. There is one scene in this book that literally had me sobbing. Prepare to ugly cry. Prepare to ugly cry so hard that it puts Kim Kardashians ugly cry face to SHAME!
Yes, WORSE THAN THIS:
Melanie Moreland outdid herself with this book. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all of her novels, but this one was so different from the others. As soon as I heard the premise of this book, I KNEW I had to read it. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book, Ms. Moreland!
"No, Richard. You aren't despicable. I think you're lost. You haven't let yourself feel. Once you do, once you allow yourself to connect to someone, I think you'll find this world is a much better place. Love doesn't make you weak. Real, honest love- it makes you strong."
Ah! Loved this book!
So the story plot is as follows- an eccentric, rich and womanizing man named Richard is looking to leave his old job after being passed up for the role of their new partner. In order for him to go to the new company, he needs to prove to his potential new boss that he has left his playboy ways behind him and currently in love with a woman. Richard and his associate come up with a plan to convince his assistant, Katharine, to go along with his ploy.
Katharine (great name, if I do say so myself!), is far from Richards' "type". The thought of pretending to LOVE each other is something difficult for both of them. She finally accepts his proposal to be his fake fiancé thanks to the huge paycheck that comes with the job. Katharine is having a hard time keeping up with the ever-growing fee to keep her Aunt in a nice nursing home.
I loved Katharine. She was such a headstrong woman and doesn't take crap from anyone- especially not Richard.
"Well, it seemed I now had a fiancé. I was engaged to a man who disliked me, but was willing to try to overlook it, so he could get a new job and piss off his old boss. Certainly, that was the stuff that dreams were made of."
She was a witty, smart, and totally shares the same distain for Richard as he does for her. The two of them bump heads many times throughout this book, and I absolutely loved it. Katharine takes NO shit from Richard and in turn, Richard finds himself confused about the mousy and shy woman that he originally thought she was.
Richard was difficult to like in the beginning. I kept muttering to myself "ugh, what a dick" during many of his snarky remarks to Katharine. But like many alpha males, I slowly grew to love him, just like Katharine! You follow their relationship from the beginning and you truly fall in love with him right along with her. Her emotions and feelings very much mimicked how I would be feeling throughout most of the book and it made her character quite relatable.
I must warn you though. There is one scene in this book that literally had me sobbing. Prepare to ugly cry. Prepare to ugly cry so hard that it puts Kim Kardashians ugly cry face to SHAME!
Yes, WORSE THAN THIS:
Melanie Moreland outdid herself with this book. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all of her novels, but this one was so different from the others. As soon as I heard the premise of this book, I KNEW I had to read it. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book, Ms. Moreland!
November 4, 2016
Someting between 3-3,5.... Very sweet and heart warming but too slow and dragging!
As you can see from the blurb, the plot here seems to be a cliché but it doesn't follow the cliché road, it takes its own way.
However, even this refreshing approach to "the girlfriend/wife with a contract theme" cannot save the book and make it a 4 or 5 star read for me because it is too slow, too uneventful and incredibly dragging.
I think this book is 100 pages longer than necessary. I mean, there are 60 more pages after their happy end, which is the happier end, the even much happier end and the happiest end... something like that, you get what I mean :)
The plot:
Richard is a handsome and sexy but arrogant tyrant by day, who acts as a playboy by night. He cares for no one, he lacks empathy, emotions, affection and kindness. He is self-centered and cruel.
Katharine works for Richard as his PA. She dislikes him although she thinks he is insanely handsome because Richard really treats her like shit, always barking at her, ordering all the nonsense tasks and never asking anything nicely. Even though she always does whatever he wants perfectly with no complaints, he never appreciates her, he even thinks she is a doormat. He despises her, wants to get rid of her, mocks her... He is the as*hole of the century... You get the picture?
Katy (Katherine) endures all the garbage he sends her way, because she needs this job. She has dark hair and blue eyes but she never wears make up or nice clothes. She doesn't eat much and she is too thin. And she is sometimes clumsy, which earns her another reason for being mocked by Richard.
She never ever complains and she tolerates her nasty tyrant of a boss because she has to save money for the care she needs to provide for her sick aunt who has Alzheimer's. All the money she earns goes to the care center where her aunt is taken care of and that is why she is left with very little money for food and clothes. She lives in a miserable place in a dangerous part of the city to save money. We later learn that That is why now she is returning the favor and enduring her cruel boss.
One day, Richard is disappointed with his boss and decides to leave the company to work in the rival firm. But in order to have a chance at a position there, he needs to have a nice family life. And for this, he makes a plan: Find a girl to do the act, which later turns out to be his assistant who needs the money to do the act.
From then on, the expectation is the cliché one: When the girl with no make up and nice clothes is transformed into the nicely-dressed woman with nice hair and make up, the arrogant tyrant falls in love with her! Right? Yes, this was what I expected but no, it doesn't happen so. He still doesn't find her very beautiful. He still despises her. He still wants to get rid of her as soon as possible. But when they make this contract, Katy starts to behave more like herself and Richard begins to see her real character, which he never cared about before. He starts to understand all the reasons behind her "doormat personality". He starts to discover the angelic girl with her golden heart. She is not a doormat any more, she is sometimes sassy sometimes the voice of wisdom.
Everything happens so slowly, and everything feels real for this reason.
In time, we learn why Richard is the as*hole he is. That is why, he doesn't know how to love. The kind and good-hearted people in his new work environment that he managed to enter by fooling them he is in love with a nice girl start to show Richard what it is like to be in a friendly environment where everyone loves and respects one another and appreciates each other's opinions. Meanwhile, Katy and her aunt Penny start to teach Richard what loving and caring for someone feels like, just by being themselves.
Richard had never been in an environment where people showed real love to one another. So, he begins to change, he begins to relax and he begins to enjoy the new man he is becoming.
“You loved her so much you married a total asshole who treated you like shit so you could make sure she was looked after properly. I should never have been an asshole to you.”
***
“How?” I whispered. “How can you be this forgiving? How can you even stand to be around me?” “Because you’re trying.”
“It’s that easy for you? A little effort on my part and you forgive?”
“I had to forgive you to do this with you.”
“In order to make sure Penny was looked after.”
Hesitantly, she lifted her hand, cupping my cheek, her fingers stroking my skin.
“That was one reason.”
“What was the other?”
“I saw something... I saw a different side of you. I thought . . .”
“Thought what?”
“I thought if I could help you... maybe you could find the real Richard.”
***
“None of my cruelness changed you. Instead, your sweetness changed me, Katy.
***
I had fallen in love with her by building one small, new positive habit at a time. She had slowly replaced the bad ones, until they were gone, by simply being her.
Richard begins to love his pretend fiancé/wife not because she is incredibly beautiful but because she is so full of love and affection, because she brings light to his life, because she brings out the best in him.
Katy forgives him easily and the reader forgives him easily because it feels all real and sincere. The more he hates himself, the more guilty he feels, the more easily we forgive him. And he does feel great remorse for his past treatment towards her. So as far as groveling is concerned, he does it well and sincerely.
Although this slow change was convincing, as I said at the very beginning, the problem with this book was its last 30-40 percent. It should have ended nearly at %60 because after that point, it dragged incredibly and it was torturous.
I mean, they are together, confessed their love and all, but it still goes on and on and on with a very lengthy and a very dragging happy end that lasts for pages and pages... So, I reiterate, the book is definitely 100 pages longer than necessary in my opinion and it lacks some action, event, plot twist or something like that...
So it is kind of 3,5 for me but because it is definitely not a 4, I feel I have to give it a 3...
The book is told by dual point of view, both by Katy ad Richard while Richard's chapters far outweigh Katy's....
As you can see from the blurb, the plot here seems to be a cliché but it doesn't follow the cliché road, it takes its own way.
However, even this refreshing approach to "the girlfriend/wife with a contract theme" cannot save the book and make it a 4 or 5 star read for me because it is too slow, too uneventful and incredibly dragging.
I think this book is 100 pages longer than necessary. I mean, there are 60 more pages after their happy end, which is the happier end, the even much happier end and the happiest end... something like that, you get what I mean :)
The plot:
Richard is a handsome and sexy but arrogant tyrant by day, who acts as a playboy by night. He cares for no one, he lacks empathy, emotions, affection and kindness. He is self-centered and cruel.
Katharine works for Richard as his PA. She dislikes him although she thinks he is insanely handsome because Richard really treats her like shit, always barking at her, ordering all the nonsense tasks and never asking anything nicely. Even though she always does whatever he wants perfectly with no complaints, he never appreciates her, he even thinks she is a doormat. He despises her, wants to get rid of her, mocks her... He is the as*hole of the century... You get the picture?
Katy (Katherine) endures all the garbage he sends her way, because she needs this job. She has dark hair and blue eyes but she never wears make up or nice clothes. She doesn't eat much and she is too thin. And she is sometimes clumsy, which earns her another reason for being mocked by Richard.
She never ever complains and she tolerates her nasty tyrant of a boss because she has to save money for the care she needs to provide for her sick aunt who has Alzheimer's. All the money she earns goes to the care center where her aunt is taken care of and that is why she is left with very little money for food and clothes. She lives in a miserable place in a dangerous part of the city to save money. We later learn that That is why now she is returning the favor and enduring her cruel boss.
One day, Richard is disappointed with his boss and decides to leave the company to work in the rival firm. But in order to have a chance at a position there, he needs to have a nice family life. And for this, he makes a plan: Find a girl to do the act, which later turns out to be his assistant who needs the money to do the act.
From then on, the expectation is the cliché one: When the girl with no make up and nice clothes is transformed into the nicely-dressed woman with nice hair and make up, the arrogant tyrant falls in love with her! Right? Yes, this was what I expected but no, it doesn't happen so. He still doesn't find her very beautiful. He still despises her. He still wants to get rid of her as soon as possible. But when they make this contract, Katy starts to behave more like herself and Richard begins to see her real character, which he never cared about before. He starts to understand all the reasons behind her "doormat personality". He starts to discover the angelic girl with her golden heart. She is not a doormat any more, she is sometimes sassy sometimes the voice of wisdom.
Everything happens so slowly, and everything feels real for this reason.
In time, we learn why Richard is the as*hole he is. That is why, he doesn't know how to love. The kind and good-hearted people in his new work environment that he managed to enter by fooling them he is in love with a nice girl start to show Richard what it is like to be in a friendly environment where everyone loves and respects one another and appreciates each other's opinions. Meanwhile, Katy and her aunt Penny start to teach Richard what loving and caring for someone feels like, just by being themselves.
Richard had never been in an environment where people showed real love to one another. So, he begins to change, he begins to relax and he begins to enjoy the new man he is becoming.
“You loved her so much you married a total asshole who treated you like shit so you could make sure she was looked after properly. I should never have been an asshole to you.”
***
“How?” I whispered. “How can you be this forgiving? How can you even stand to be around me?” “Because you’re trying.”
“It’s that easy for you? A little effort on my part and you forgive?”
“I had to forgive you to do this with you.”
“In order to make sure Penny was looked after.”
Hesitantly, she lifted her hand, cupping my cheek, her fingers stroking my skin.
“That was one reason.”
“What was the other?”
“I saw something... I saw a different side of you. I thought . . .”
“Thought what?”
“I thought if I could help you... maybe you could find the real Richard.”
***
“None of my cruelness changed you. Instead, your sweetness changed me, Katy.
***
I had fallen in love with her by building one small, new positive habit at a time. She had slowly replaced the bad ones, until they were gone, by simply being her.
Richard begins to love his pretend fiancé/wife not because she is incredibly beautiful but because she is so full of love and affection, because she brings light to his life, because she brings out the best in him.
Katy forgives him easily and the reader forgives him easily because it feels all real and sincere. The more he hates himself, the more guilty he feels, the more easily we forgive him. And he does feel great remorse for his past treatment towards her. So as far as groveling is concerned, he does it well and sincerely.
Although this slow change was convincing, as I said at the very beginning, the problem with this book was its last 30-40 percent. It should have ended nearly at %60 because after that point, it dragged incredibly and it was torturous.
I mean, they are together, confessed their love and all, but it still goes on and on and on with a very lengthy and a very dragging happy end that lasts for pages and pages... So, I reiterate, the book is definitely 100 pages longer than necessary in my opinion and it lacks some action, event, plot twist or something like that...
So it is kind of 3,5 for me but because it is definitely not a 4, I feel I have to give it a 3...
The book is told by dual point of view, both by Katy ad Richard while Richard's chapters far outweigh Katy's....
December 18, 2018
I didn't like the hero at the beginning, I didn't like him much at the end.
She was OK. She wasn't weak, she was a good person I guess. Much better than me, coz I would have never forgiven him.
Do people change? I'm not sure. They accommodate maybe, but don't change completely.
There are miracles in books, there are non in real life.
She was OK. She wasn't weak, she was a good person I guess. Much better than me, coz I would have never forgiven him.
Do people change? I'm not sure. They accommodate maybe, but don't change completely.
There are miracles in books, there are non in real life.
May 23, 2016
4 'make - believe' stars
The Contract is quite a surprisingly good read. When I started on the book, I find the writing was pretty mediocre and there isn't enough backstory to build up the two main characters. When they first came on the page, I don't find them instantly likable. But as I continue, I find myself getting more and more engrossed in the story and rooting for the jerk.
Richard VanRyan is a high flyer of the advertising industry and a jerk of epic proportion, especially towards his PA, Katherine Elliot. Honestly, I don't understand his initially dislike for Katy because I would think being a tyrant boss would appreciate an efficient worker, despite her not being easy on the eyes. When he was pass up for promotion in the company, the only thing that came to his mind is revenge... by going to their biggest competitor. Nice move.
When Richard found out that Gavin Group is a tight nit family business that values its employee morale and integrity, he decided that he need his PA's help to sell the story of him being a reformed man.
Katherine Elliot is a plain Jane and a hard worker. Being insulted, ridicule and verbally abused by her tyrant boss is something that she can bear because she got much important thing to focus on, namely supporting her Aunt Penny in a private care. But when her boss asked her for an unexpected favor, she was torn between wanting the money and asking him to go fuck himself.
Richard's plan is simply. Ask Katherine to be his fake girlfriend, impress the Gavins, get the job and then ditch the fake girlfriend. But alas, reality doesn't go as plan, and their lies soon grew out of proportion and they find themselves getting deeper and deeper into the charade and lines got blurred.
This is very much Richard's story. For being someone so capable and successful, he is one cynical, immoral man in a dog eats dog world. He was a big jerk to Katherine, but when he needs her help, he did manage to turn on his charm. He is not all bad, but slightly misguided due to his upbringing and the lack of close friend.
I'm very much impressed with his transformation in the story. When he get to know the real Katherine behind the timid PA, he was amaze with her strength and tenacity. And after getting a taste of the working environment in Gavin Group, Richard found out that he much appreciate a healthy working place compare to the cut throat business he was coming from.
Katherine as a heroine came off as quite a doormat in the beginning. She just go with whatever Richard demand of her, but slowly we see her backbone emerging and after we learn about Aunt Penny, we can see what a remarkable woman she is.
I think although this story started off on shaky ground, I enjoyed the slow burn relationship between Richard and Katherine. And beside the romance, there is an underlying sense of family, friendship and love.
Oh, the ending. Is a bit sweet and sappy, especially coming from Richard, but I love it.
The Contract is quite a surprisingly good read. When I started on the book, I find the writing was pretty mediocre and there isn't enough backstory to build up the two main characters. When they first came on the page, I don't find them instantly likable. But as I continue, I find myself getting more and more engrossed in the story and rooting for the jerk.
Richard VanRyan is a high flyer of the advertising industry and a jerk of epic proportion, especially towards his PA, Katherine Elliot. Honestly, I don't understand his initially dislike for Katy because I would think being a tyrant boss would appreciate an efficient worker, despite her not being easy on the eyes. When he was pass up for promotion in the company, the only thing that came to his mind is revenge... by going to their biggest competitor. Nice move.
When Richard found out that Gavin Group is a tight nit family business that values its employee morale and integrity, he decided that he need his PA's help to sell the story of him being a reformed man.
Katherine Elliot is a plain Jane and a hard worker. Being insulted, ridicule and verbally abused by her tyrant boss is something that she can bear because she got much important thing to focus on, namely supporting her Aunt Penny in a private care. But when her boss asked her for an unexpected favor, she was torn between wanting the money and asking him to go fuck himself.
Richard's plan is simply. Ask Katherine to be his fake girlfriend, impress the Gavins, get the job and then ditch the fake girlfriend. But alas, reality doesn't go as plan, and their lies soon grew out of proportion and they find themselves getting deeper and deeper into the charade and lines got blurred.
This is very much Richard's story. For being someone so capable and successful, he is one cynical, immoral man in a dog eats dog world. He was a big jerk to Katherine, but when he needs her help, he did manage to turn on his charm. He is not all bad, but slightly misguided due to his upbringing and the lack of close friend.
I'm very much impressed with his transformation in the story. When he get to know the real Katherine behind the timid PA, he was amaze with her strength and tenacity. And after getting a taste of the working environment in Gavin Group, Richard found out that he much appreciate a healthy working place compare to the cut throat business he was coming from.
Katherine as a heroine came off as quite a doormat in the beginning. She just go with whatever Richard demand of her, but slowly we see her backbone emerging and after we learn about Aunt Penny, we can see what a remarkable woman she is.
I think although this story started off on shaky ground, I enjoyed the slow burn relationship between Richard and Katherine. And beside the romance, there is an underlying sense of family, friendship and love.
Oh, the ending. Is a bit sweet and sappy, especially coming from Richard, but I love it.
December 31, 2020
This was an interesting story. Richard starts off as an emotionally stunted goblin who tosses off abuse and disdain for fun. And his biggest target is his PA, who he considers beneath contempt because she's such a weakling and just takes it. Katy is lovely, but constrained by wanting to take care of the woman who stepped up when she truly needed it. The elder care home is expensive but so good for her that Katy is willing to undergo any sacrifice, including the hazard pay they give her to put up with "the Dick".
So when reasons happen that compel Richard to use a romantic relationship to show he isn't as big a dick as people have been claiming, and the only woman he knows who would actually be believable as a non-dick relationship happens to be his doormat PA, a plot is born. And it really is that ridiculous and I didn't care even a little bit that it was ridiculous because I liked Katy and this is a romance so I was looking forward to his awakening and his reform.
And Moreland delivers on that very well, indeed. I was a bit worried that things would get slow or boring or frustrating because Richard's relationship motivation is essentially negative* because "love makes you weak". Only Moreland doesn't actually lean into that, like, at all. This works because his attitude is based in ignorance and he doesn't fight it when he learns differently. Yeah, he has no idea what love is (believably, actually, which is quite a feat now I think on it), but he learns and adapts and that was very engaging.
It helped a lot that Katy wasn't his only input for learning. I kind of loved the dichotomy setup between his two jobs and learning to collaborate in a true team environment with the family-oriented Gavin Group. Adopting Graham Gavin as a mentor/father figure was as endearing as his growing attachment to Katy. And his genuine affection for Penny (Katy's surrogate mother) was heartwarming in all the right ways, too.
The only real downside to this story is Katy being a bit too ideal as the woman who cares about, and for, everyone. I loved when circumstances freed her up to bite back at Richard and his delight with that was awesome. But she was still very much the angel in the home ideal who would heal all the wounds the outside world threw at her man. And that's a stereotype with so much potential downside that I have a hard time being content with the dynamic as a foundation for their relationship.
So this ends up a very solid four stars. I loved Richard's progression and that his care for Katy extended beyond just her and into a deeper reform that Moreland conveyed very well. I bounced hard on a previous Moreland story and thought I'd stay away from her books in future. I'm glad I took a second look with this book and that it worked out so well.
A note about Steamy: There are two or three explicit sex scenes putting this, just barely, in the middle of my steam tolerance. They're short and not terribly detailed, and I hate a little bit that Katy was a virgin and how that feeds into the healing angel dynamic of their relationship. Offsetting that a bit was the caring that Richard brought into their intimacy, but then, that's very in line with his arc that brought them that far.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
So when reasons happen that compel Richard to use a romantic relationship to show he isn't as big a dick as people have been claiming, and the only woman he knows who would actually be believable as a non-dick relationship happens to be his doormat PA, a plot is born. And it really is that ridiculous and I didn't care even a little bit that it was ridiculous because I liked Katy and this is a romance so I was looking forward to his awakening and his reform.
And Moreland delivers on that very well, indeed. I was a bit worried that things would get slow or boring or frustrating because Richard's relationship motivation is essentially negative* because "love makes you weak". Only Moreland doesn't actually lean into that, like, at all. This works because his attitude is based in ignorance and he doesn't fight it when he learns differently. Yeah, he has no idea what love is (believably, actually, which is quite a feat now I think on it), but he learns and adapts and that was very engaging.
It helped a lot that Katy wasn't his only input for learning. I kind of loved the dichotomy setup between his two jobs and learning to collaborate in a true team environment with the family-oriented Gavin Group. Adopting Graham Gavin as a mentor/father figure was as endearing as his growing attachment to Katy. And his genuine affection for Penny (Katy's surrogate mother) was heartwarming in all the right ways, too.
The only real downside to this story is Katy being a bit too ideal as the woman who cares about, and for, everyone. I loved when circumstances freed her up to bite back at Richard and his delight with that was awesome. But she was still very much the angel in the home ideal who would heal all the wounds the outside world threw at her man. And that's a stereotype with so much potential downside that I have a hard time being content with the dynamic as a foundation for their relationship.
So this ends up a very solid four stars. I loved Richard's progression and that his care for Katy extended beyond just her and into a deeper reform that Moreland conveyed very well. I bounced hard on a previous Moreland story and thought I'd stay away from her books in future. I'm glad I took a second look with this book and that it worked out so well.
A note about Steamy: There are two or three explicit sex scenes putting this, just barely, in the middle of my steam tolerance. They're short and not terribly detailed, and I hate a little bit that Katy was a virgin and how that feeds into the healing angel dynamic of their relationship. Offsetting that a bit was the caring that Richard brought into their intimacy, but then, that's very in line with his arc that brought them that far.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
May 28, 2016
***FOUR STARS***
Yeah, I love a story about a total asshole hero, who redeems himself by the end. This one pretty much fit the bill. Richard was a douche extreme at the first of this story. He was mean and hurtful as hell. Katy came off as a sweet little shy thing, but she eventually comes out as the spitfire she truly is, and stopped holding back all her kick ass responses back to Richard whenever he acted like a douche to her. I also enjoyed the whole host of awesome, lovable secondary characters that topped this story off as well.
The ending got a little saccharine sweet for me as Richard changed from a douche to a total sweetheart, but it was still a great story. I totally recommend this one to anyone looking for a little too sweet of a romance.
September 19, 2020
Richard's POV was sooooo interesting that when it was the h's turn I was reluctant to read her part. The hero really knows how to make the best of the worst situation. Despite his ruthfullness it was clear from the start that there is more to him than just money, ambition, thirst for success. It was nice to see him fall in love
November 16, 2016
5 - "Go fuck yourself, VanRyan." Stars!
The Contract is not the first book I have read by Melanie Moreland, but it is definitely the best book I have read by her to date.
There is nothing I love more than an asshole who over the course of the story reforms into something else. Richard VanRyan is the epitomy of that description, because at the beginning of this story, he can only be described as a total douche, but what I liked is that the author through using his POV for the bulk of the story really gave you an insight into his head, how he was thinking, and how those assumptions he initially made about Kate unravelled and the effect that has on him, the more he gets to know her.
She was perfection. I couldn’t fucking stand her.
There is a chance when an author tells a story such as this that the heroine ends up being a bit of a doormat in part because of the situation she has found herself in, not so with Katharine Elliott, she may have understood that Mr VanRyan’s actions ultimately put her in an untenable position, but she in no way took things lying down. Her POV is included at pertinent points in the story, and getting in her head when certain things are playing out really gave depth to them both as characters.
I loved the back and forth between these two, as the level of their deception to everyone else grows, the actual connection between them forges stronger. You can also see that Richard starts to realize as things move along, that what he thought would be a small white lie to get him into a new job, and a couple of months inconvenience with having Miss Elliott in his life, gradually grows in proportion as he settles into the new job and his relationship with Katy morphs into more than just a business transaction.
"I’m trying to be better."
Loved this story, loved them as individuals, and as a couple, the backgrounds that the author gave them both gave gravitas to how they are characterized at the beginning of the book, and as the story develops you see how both of them change as people and towards each other as they learn more about themselves and the other, because of the situation they are in. I got lost in this story, literally not moving off the sofa until the last paragraph.
"I’m not scared of loving you anymore… I’m only scared of losing you."
I am a little late to the party with reading it obviously, but if like me you have dragged your heels, take my advice and make this the next book you pick up to read, I don’t think you’ll come away disappointed at its end.
Copy generously gifted by the author, and it is my absolute pleasure to provide the above review as thanks.
The Contract is not the first book I have read by Melanie Moreland, but it is definitely the best book I have read by her to date.
There is nothing I love more than an asshole who over the course of the story reforms into something else. Richard VanRyan is the epitomy of that description, because at the beginning of this story, he can only be described as a total douche, but what I liked is that the author through using his POV for the bulk of the story really gave you an insight into his head, how he was thinking, and how those assumptions he initially made about Kate unravelled and the effect that has on him, the more he gets to know her.
She was perfection. I couldn’t fucking stand her.
There is a chance when an author tells a story such as this that the heroine ends up being a bit of a doormat in part because of the situation she has found herself in, not so with Katharine Elliott, she may have understood that Mr VanRyan’s actions ultimately put her in an untenable position, but she in no way took things lying down. Her POV is included at pertinent points in the story, and getting in her head when certain things are playing out really gave depth to them both as characters.
I loved the back and forth between these two, as the level of their deception to everyone else grows, the actual connection between them forges stronger. You can also see that Richard starts to realize as things move along, that what he thought would be a small white lie to get him into a new job, and a couple of months inconvenience with having Miss Elliott in his life, gradually grows in proportion as he settles into the new job and his relationship with Katy morphs into more than just a business transaction.
"I’m trying to be better."
Loved this story, loved them as individuals, and as a couple, the backgrounds that the author gave them both gave gravitas to how they are characterized at the beginning of the book, and as the story develops you see how both of them change as people and towards each other as they learn more about themselves and the other, because of the situation they are in. I got lost in this story, literally not moving off the sofa until the last paragraph.
"I’m not scared of loving you anymore… I’m only scared of losing you."
I am a little late to the party with reading it obviously, but if like me you have dragged your heels, take my advice and make this the next book you pick up to read, I don’t think you’ll come away disappointed at its end.
Copy generously gifted by the author, and it is my absolute pleasure to provide the above review as thanks.
September 15, 2020
I love stories like this and discovering new authors that grab you from page one, Melanie Moreland did that with " The Contract"
Richard is a brilliant and creative Ad Executive but also arrogant. He views his proficient assistant, Katherine, as delicate, timid and dowdy, being everything he hates in a woman. But she was great at her job and everyone in the office liked her more than him. When he gets passed over for a promised partnership, he begins to look for a new job. He wants to work for the competition out of spite. He devises a plan to find a temporary fiance to convince them that he is ideal for this family run business. Katherine is the perfect choice since she is smart, friendly and needs the extra money. What can go wrong with this charade when one picnic turns into more events. When two people who can't stand each other, must pretend they are madly in love for months instead of days? Richard could be such a jerk but still had some sweet and redeeming qualities. Katherine surprised him by being beautiful, smart, strong and sassy. She challenged him like no other but softened him as well. They were opposites who helped each other find their true place in the world. I really enjoyed the pace of this story and the growth of both characters and their relationship.
Richard is a brilliant and creative Ad Executive but also arrogant. He views his proficient assistant, Katherine, as delicate, timid and dowdy, being everything he hates in a woman. But she was great at her job and everyone in the office liked her more than him. When he gets passed over for a promised partnership, he begins to look for a new job. He wants to work for the competition out of spite. He devises a plan to find a temporary fiance to convince them that he is ideal for this family run business. Katherine is the perfect choice since she is smart, friendly and needs the extra money. What can go wrong with this charade when one picnic turns into more events. When two people who can't stand each other, must pretend they are madly in love for months instead of days? Richard could be such a jerk but still had some sweet and redeeming qualities. Katherine surprised him by being beautiful, smart, strong and sassy. She challenged him like no other but softened him as well. They were opposites who helped each other find their true place in the world. I really enjoyed the pace of this story and the growth of both characters and their relationship.
February 1, 2021
I have to give praise to this author! She had me wanting to initially junk punch this H and by the end of the story, I adored him. That is not an easy thing to accomplish. These two characters, Richard and Katy, started off not very fond of each other. Richard was actually not very fond of anyone. Sweet Katy just didn't care for him and his horrid attitude. He was mean and hateful and you didn't think he'd ever be able to redeem himself. I loved how they progressed together in their relationship. Although it was mentioned he had been a playboy in the past, none of it came into play in the story. There was no ow/om drama whatsoever. They were faithful to each other even before they realized their feelings. The secondary characters were great. I would have liked an epilogue and would read more stories about this bunch!
December 28, 2019
The Contract started off strong, funny and emotional but at around 75%, it veered off to candyland where it dragged and got stuck in annoyingville.
The hero went from alpha to not so alpha.
The heroine was sweet but I found her annoying at times when she claimed on more than one occasion to have forgiven the hero for his past treatment of her, yet she kept bringing it up.
I'm on the fence about this author. I'll probably read one more book by her before making a decision on whether or not her books are worth reading.
The hero went from alpha to not so alpha.
The heroine was sweet but I found her annoying at times when she claimed on more than one occasion to have forgiven the hero for his past treatment of her, yet she kept bringing it up.
I'm on the fence about this author. I'll probably read one more book by her before making a decision on whether or not her books are worth reading.
May 21, 2016
****3.75 Stars****
This is a story line I can’t seem to get enough.
As soon as I read The Contract’s blurb I knew I would have to read it!
And so I tried my luck.
Thanks to StarAngel's Reviews for very kindly sending me this copy.
So, what’s it about?
A tyrant by day, a playboy by night. That is the reputation that precedes Richard VanRyan.
He lives life the way he wants, no concern for the opinion of others. He cares for no one, is completely unrepentant, and he has no desire to change his ways.
In other words: a jerk
Katharine Elliott works under Richard as his PA.
She despises him and his questionable ethics, but endures all the garbage he sends her way, because she needs the job. Her final goal is far more important than the daily abuse and demands she tolerates from her nasty tyrant of a boss.
In other words: A heroine I was so looking forward to see grow a backbone.
So Richard, The Tyrant, needed a fiancé In order to get a job with The Gavin Group – A family run company that operates on two fundamental principles: family and integrity.
Why not his clumsy PA?
I was just waiting for the moment she would explode and grown THAT backbone I was talking about.
When she did it, it was in grand style.
The Tyrant made the fake-fiancé proposition. Katharine accepted.
Soon they were caught on a snow ball of lies where the fake engagement wasn't enough and to keep the appearances they had to get married.
With the forced arrangement of living together, a mutual respect built on a forced daily basis intimacy started to flourish, and as a result, a beautiful friendship.
It was a subtle changing very well crafted by the author. I liked it a lot. There was no insta-love.
While I loved the banter and chemistry between the H/h, I didn't appreciate how intrusive the Gavin family was.
The Gavin family from The Gavin Group remember? Yep! He did get the job.
The rapport between Katharine and Gavin’s family was too fast and too much. They became best friends in the first family BBQ.
And then there was Jenna (Gavin).
JENNA.WAS.UNBELIEVABLE. The woman had no boundaries! No sense or filters at all!
Getting in their room to have coffee, early in the morning, with Katharine?!
Hellooo!? Do you mind?!
Yes, she did.
Overall, The Contract was a great read with lots of laughing out loud moments and a punch of a few emotional ones.
This is a story line I can’t seem to get enough.
As soon as I read The Contract’s blurb I knew I would have to read it!
And so I tried my luck.
Thanks to StarAngel's Reviews for very kindly sending me this copy.
So, what’s it about?
A tyrant by day, a playboy by night. That is the reputation that precedes Richard VanRyan.
He lives life the way he wants, no concern for the opinion of others. He cares for no one, is completely unrepentant, and he has no desire to change his ways.
In other words: a jerk
Katharine Elliott works under Richard as his PA.
She despises him and his questionable ethics, but endures all the garbage he sends her way, because she needs the job. Her final goal is far more important than the daily abuse and demands she tolerates from her nasty tyrant of a boss.
In other words: A heroine I was so looking forward to see grow a backbone.
So Richard, The Tyrant, needed a fiancé In order to get a job with The Gavin Group – A family run company that operates on two fundamental principles: family and integrity.
Why not his clumsy PA?
I was just waiting for the moment she would explode and grown THAT backbone I was talking about.
When she did it, it was in grand style.
The Tyrant made the fake-fiancé proposition. Katharine accepted.
Soon they were caught on a snow ball of lies where the fake engagement wasn't enough and to keep the appearances they had to get married.
With the forced arrangement of living together, a mutual respect built on a forced daily basis intimacy started to flourish, and as a result, a beautiful friendship.
It was a subtle changing very well crafted by the author. I liked it a lot. There was no insta-love.
While I loved the banter and chemistry between the H/h, I didn't appreciate how intrusive the Gavin family was.
The Gavin family from The Gavin Group remember? Yep! He did get the job.
The rapport between Katharine and Gavin’s family was too fast and too much. They became best friends in the first family BBQ.
And then there was Jenna (Gavin).
JENNA.WAS.UNBELIEVABLE. The woman had no boundaries! No sense or filters at all!
Getting in their room to have coffee, early in the morning, with Katharine?!
Hellooo!? Do you mind?!
Yes, she did.
Overall, The Contract was a great read with lots of laughing out loud moments and a punch of a few emotional ones.
September 16, 2022
The shriveled up, dried up little raisin that serves as my heart wished it could have the capacity to love this fun, entertaining, contemporary romance where the nerd girl heroine tames the wild beast of a hero through a marriage of convenience. Unfortunately, the cynical little sucker couldn't help roiling with nausea at the super sappiness including how quickly (and disappointingly) the F-bomb dropping, narcissistic, greedy manho turned into a mushy Hallmark Card because his Mary Sue drowned him into a vat of syrup.
October 20, 2019
Audiobook: Narrators - John Lane and Tatiana Sokolov
Oh man! I loved this audiobook so much! While I really enjoyed reading this book the first time around, I fell totally in love with it, and these characters, during this performance. These narrators gave so much more personality and life to Richard and Kate.
Another book I’ve had on my “to be read” list for a while. Not sure why it’s taken me so long to read it, but now I’m kicking myself for putting it off for so long.
This is a boss/employee, enemies to lovers story that starts with a boss who is the true definition of jerk (would love to use a stronger word here!). There was nothing about him that was appealing. If his lifestyle and actions weren’t enough to turn me off, his thoughts about the heroine were. When she is suddenly the one thing he needs to move forward he finds himself eating quite a bit of crow. I absolutely loved that part. I didn’t think there was any way for me to like him, much less love him, but in the end I didn’t just love him, I adored him.
Watching Richard’s gradual change into a decent human being was not only fun, but at times beautiful. While Katherine presented one face at work, she was actually quite different when free from her official duties. The real Katherine was a surprise to him and his reactions were entertaining to read.
This is a low steam story and to be honest I never really felt a sexual chemistry between the hero and heroine, but the style in which their relationship changed was more than satisfactory. That’s not to say there was no steam, it just arrives around the 70% mark. The angst was a bit low as well until that same point when it is amped up. It doesn’t last too terribly long and then it is followed by quite a bit of time with this couple just being a couple. And there is no huge drama to conclude their story, just a smooth transition into what their life currently entails. While there is no epilogue, the last few chapters act as one as it leads us several months down the road and into a wonderful ending.
Overall an extremely enjoyable read with a slow burn, a redeemable hero, and a sassy heroine.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Oh man! I loved this audiobook so much! While I really enjoyed reading this book the first time around, I fell totally in love with it, and these characters, during this performance. These narrators gave so much more personality and life to Richard and Kate.
Another book I’ve had on my “to be read” list for a while. Not sure why it’s taken me so long to read it, but now I’m kicking myself for putting it off for so long.
This is a boss/employee, enemies to lovers story that starts with a boss who is the true definition of jerk (would love to use a stronger word here!). There was nothing about him that was appealing. If his lifestyle and actions weren’t enough to turn me off, his thoughts about the heroine were. When she is suddenly the one thing he needs to move forward he finds himself eating quite a bit of crow. I absolutely loved that part. I didn’t think there was any way for me to like him, much less love him, but in the end I didn’t just love him, I adored him.
Watching Richard’s gradual change into a decent human being was not only fun, but at times beautiful. While Katherine presented one face at work, she was actually quite different when free from her official duties. The real Katherine was a surprise to him and his reactions were entertaining to read.
This is a low steam story and to be honest I never really felt a sexual chemistry between the hero and heroine, but the style in which their relationship changed was more than satisfactory. That’s not to say there was no steam, it just arrives around the 70% mark. The angst was a bit low as well until that same point when it is amped up. It doesn’t last too terribly long and then it is followed by quite a bit of time with this couple just being a couple. And there is no huge drama to conclude their story, just a smooth transition into what their life currently entails. While there is no epilogue, the last few chapters act as one as it leads us several months down the road and into a wonderful ending.
Overall an extremely enjoyable read with a slow burn, a redeemable hero, and a sassy heroine.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,248 reviews