A Very Bossy Christmas (Very Holiday Book 1) Kindle Edition

I am all SMILES after reading this; just so, so delightfully charmed by this holiday romance. It was everything I was hoping it was going to be and then some – and I always anticipate that I’m going to love this author’s books. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, sexy, and snort-laugh-inducing, crackling with sexual tension one minute and then making you swoon with a tender moment the next. The first half? Sharp, intense, and simmering with heat. And then the back half burrows into your heart a little deeper, leaning into the holiday aspect while showcasing the growth in intimacy. It’s the kind of book that I’d read every Christmas, or Christmas in July, or… anytime. Because this couple is GREAT together, from the first page to the last.The story follows Declan, a lawyer who is aware that he can give people the impression that he’s a bit of a grouch. He’s got his reasons for being moody, and the only thing that seems to put a smile on his face recently is spending time with his new executive assistant, Maddie. As in, driving her crazy with texts and demands to work all hours of the day. With the holidays approaching, Declan hopes to make it another work-filled week, until family commitments require that he come for a visit… with a date who will act as a buffer for all of the drama. Somehow, Maddie finds herself spending even more time with Declan, but in a way that brings all of the tension between them to the surface in an entirely different way.I loved all of the BANTER and the chemistry that just leaps off the page. These two have the kind of connection that sizzles, and the steamy scenes reveal more about their relationship than a hundred conversations. The word “baby” has never been sexier than when it’s groaned by this grumpalicious hero, and I loved his vulnerability. Loring executed some holiday magic with this one, because this couple was truly entertaining from start to finish. I devoured it in one sitting, loving the low angst journey as it progressed from bickering to bantering to blush-inducing and beyond. If you’re looking for a light and steamy romance that will make you smile, fill you with holiday cheer, and make you love it more with every scene, this is the one for you. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy (then purchased it for my collection), and am voluntarily leaving a review of this office romance.

A Very Bossy Christmas is a hilarious and cleverly written rom-com. Declan is a workaholic lawyer, whose blunt and shark-like behavior has everyone rolling their eyes. This includes his executive assistant Maddie, who is not afraid to answer him defiantly while being efficient and good at her job.Declan lives for the banter and every interaction with Maddie. He is hot and confident, almost cocky, and he knows it. But he is not sure if their relationship will ever be more than a professional one. Until Declan has to go back home to Ohio for Christmas and tells his family he has a girlfriend. One who doesn't exist. So he drafts a contract, asks Maddie to go with him, and pretend to be the fake love of his life.The trip is perfect and swoony because they are made for each other! Declan isn't as bad as everyone thinks. In fact, he has the biggest heart. Maddie is fierce, strong, and a badass. They will live in a bubble until they have to go back to the office. Following the rules and doing what is expected will kick in, and well... just go read the book.Kayley Loring's writing is witty and the jokes are spot on. She certainly has a way with words. The characters are a phenomenal bunch (I mean Maddie and Declan's families are insane and hilarious). And Piper deserves a special mention because she is the best. This book is a marvelous Christmas read. I highly recommend it.

Over the course of this year I have come to discover that reading a Kayley Lorring novel will result in abdominal pain.That’s from the laughter.I’ve also discovered that I have a bad habit of reading Ms. Lorring’s novels while the rest of my family watches epic adventure movies or tear rendering drama. Thus leaving me laughing uproariously at exactly the wrong moment. I understand that this is a “me” problem, however I find that it adds to my reading pleasure.If you are a new reader to Ms. Lorring, I would highly recommend this novel as your first read. All of Ms. Lorring’s works have lovable characters, witty and fast dialogue, well developed plot along with amusing and engaging side characters, however I feel A Very Bossy Christmas is the best she’s written to date.Declan Cannavale and Maddie Cooper are our couple de jour in A Very Bossy Christmas. Declan is a slick New York real estate lawyer trembling in fear of his mother’s wrath and falling from “favorite brother” status on his sister’s list.Maddie Cooper is a Satan Island and downtown NYC girl who is taking names and keeping Declan in control.As Ms. Lorring describes Maddie through Declan’s eyes:The woman who keeps my schedule running smoothly and handles me with the sleek, unruffled grace of a highly skilled assassin.Declan is trying to avoid going home for the holidays - Thanksgiving and Christmas.At any and all cost.There is a back story regarding his brother getting married, however Ms. Lorring dishes that amazing dish out slowly.When Declan realizes that he can’t wriggle out from under his mother’s highly skilled Irish mammy guilt, he then comes up with a fool proof plan.One that includes Maddie. Some legal papers. And a LOT of booze.Declan drafts an agreement asking Maddie for the following:You are asking me to acknowledge this discreet, temporary, simulated consensual romantic relationship during nonworking hours will not interfere with Sentinel’s company policy of teamworkThat’s right - Declan presents Maddie with a legal agreement to become his fake girlfriend.The lure he holds over her head - allowing her the time off over Christmas that she had requested.Maddie, signs on the dotted line. Crazy - right?What then ensures is a non stop slide into outrageous family situations featuring Maddie’s sister, a teen niece who starts writing a fan fiction story about Declan and Maddie (#TeamMaclan) when not stealing Maddie’s phone to text Declan, a Staten Island aunt and that’s just Maddie’s family!!Declan’s family takes us on a booze filled joy ride of the Boston cousins and the Irish cousins culminating in all of the cousins losing many many days, Declan sending nearly incoherent texts to Maddie, and a wedding.Right. THAT wedding. The wedding of Declan’s brother to..... a woman that I refuse to name. (Yeah. I’d blow a raspberry at me too)In between all of this, there are sweet moments such as Declan looking out for Maddie’s widowed landlord, an office Christmas party from the great beyond, sexy times that always start with “we are NOT having sexy times” dialogue, and Declan falling in love with Maddie. Or the other way around. By the end of the story they wind up married.One of the biggest things that made me laugh were all the spot on accents. From the different New York ones, to Boston’s Southie, to the Irish. The tempo, tone, slang and dialogue were absolutely on point! I’ve grown up sandwiched between “the city” and Boston. I could clearly hear those accents as I read.Now that I’ve gone on too long, I am recommending this book as THE Christmas book for 2020. It is the book your heart and soul need.Just, don’t read it while watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”You may find yourself in a room of family bent over cry laughing while George is out being all maudlin and soul crushing.

I’ve never read anything from Kayley Loring, but A Very Bossy Christmas was added to the top of my holiday reading list after seeing such great reviews! And oh my—It absolutely delivered.Declan, a successful real estate lawyer, is a workaholic that can only be tolerated by one assistant: Maddie Cooper. Intelligent, beautiful, and unfazed by the moody, demanding attitude of her boss, Maddie is a fiery heroine that didn’t hold back her mind. The banter between these two was hilarious and oozed sexual tension.Needing a date for the holiday season to keep his mother content, the two agree upon a fake dating arrangement, complete with a signed agreement that it won’t disturb their working relationship. As their attraction boils over, barriers are crossed and it was such an explosion of built up emotions (and VERY hot!).Declan, being Irish-Italian, brought a lot of humour in the form of his family. From food comas, velour track pants, and an epic bachelor party filled with drunk apologies, there were so many laugh-out-loud moments. Add in Maddie’s equally comical Staten Island crew, this had such a strong, authentic feel of family and completely gave me those cozy, Christmas vibes.If you’re looking for a hilarious, steamy delight this holiday season, you need to pick this one up!

It was such a sweet and hilarious book. It really put me in a great mood. The writing is awesome, I didn't want it to end.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…. Unless your name is Maddie, and your boss is a hot Grinch who expects you to work through the holidays. Yep, if he’s not taking Christmas day off then why should you? But what Maddie doesn’t know is that she’s the brightest star in Declan’s life, and if she’s not around to torment him with her sassy attitude and knitted dresses, then the demons in his head might just take over for good.Because Declan’s got a big secret and an even bigger problem: Christmas. There are only so many excuses he can give his family before he has to face up to everything he’s been running from for the past year. But if he can persuade Maddie to come with him as a fake girlfriend, maybe she will make the whole experience bearable?Declan is a true alpha roll; bad ass on the outside, but gooey and delicious on the inside. His vulnerability and inner monologues were heart-wrenchingly beautiful and I fell head over heels in love with him. Maddie was just as wonderful, and how she handled Declan as well as her own emotions was masterful. And bonus points need to go to Piper - Maddie’s niece, who even gets her own chapters featuring her fan fiction as she documents the burgeoning relationship of ‘Maclan’.This book is a swoonworthy, laugh-out-loud delight. It was so addictive I didn’t want to do anything else except keep reading. It made me late for a meeting, and I accidentally dropped a packet of bacon behind a piping hot radiator because I was more concerned with finishing it than putting the shopping away properly. Oh, and I wept happy tears at the end...A Very Bossy Christmas has everything you could want from a romcom book. It’s hilariously hot, fantastically funny, and has side characters you love even more than your own family. Kayley Loring is an incredible author and I just adored every second of this book!

This book was recommended by a friend and I am so glad I read it! Started laughing from pretty much the beginning. Loved the main characters and every weirdo thrown into the mix (family, office etc) but my favourite character might be the witty, perceptive & meddling 13 year old Piper (sensational! :D)I was surprised when I shed a few tears for the hero at his backstory but its very nicely handled, & especially the way he makes his peace with it. This is a crazy fun Christmas read & I highly recommend it for the non stop laughter (And of course the romance! :))

I love, love, loved this book!!! I loved the FMC. Such a refreshing character compared to some of the FMC’S I’ve read lately. Enjoyed the fake dating trope - it’s not always my fave but when done right, it’s so enjoyable and this was done right! I also don’t love the third act break up but this was done well and not too angsty or drawn out, just right. I adored Dec and his family, as well as Maddie’s family. I loved how well the author wrote out the accents and I couldn’t stop giggling. This book had me smiling and laughing and swooning. Is it weird I want to read Hannah and Brady’s story? And of course Eddie and Byrdie!