A fun enemies to lovers romance

It's been a few days since I finished reading Loverboy, and then listening to the audiobook. This is the second book in The Company series, and a fun read! I loved the characters, I loved the romance, I loved the laughs, and I loved the suspense. This is an enemies to lovers, second chance, and the story just flows!

Gunnar works for the same security company that we read about in Sarina Bowen's Moonlighter. He is called back to New York City, where he grew up, from California, for a special project. Of course, the special project reunites him with Posey, who he worked trained as a bartender when they were both college students. Gunnar and Posey both harbor bad feelings toward each other from the way that ended. Now Gunnar has to work for Posey, which not only rekindles their simmering attraction to each other, but also leads to additional complications. Posey's sister and nephew, as well as Gunnar's security firm co-workers add much to the story.

The audiobook was so well cast. The narrators did a wonderful job bringing Posey and Gunnar to life, and quickly pulling the reader into the flow of the story. I love when I listen to an audiobook, and forget that I'm actually listening to a book read out loud - these two narrators certainly did that for me.

I highly recommend both the book, and the audiobook for Loverboy

3 people found this helpful

This book gave me all the warm fuzzies!

I'm 100% sure that Sarina Bowen wrote this series for me. Or at least that's what my delusions say. All kidding aside, LOVERBOY is just another reason why I love this author so much. It just checks all my boxes.

I had the chance to listen to an early copy of the audiobook and let me tell you, Joe Arden and Vanessa Edwin are SLAYING it. You actually hear Joe Arden's twinkle in his eyes. This man has so much charisma in his voice I can't recommend his narration enough. I'm new to Vanessa Edwin and I'm very pleased to report that she did a beautiful job with her portrayal of Posy. Sometimes I find it jarring when I hear a new voice narrating the male part in a chapter (takes a couple chapters until I don't notice anymore), that didn't happen here.

Now Gunnar and Posy I adored. They have some past baggage but they weren't overly antagonistic. Their chemistry is captured in fabulous banter and I could have listened to Posy's hormones, which hijack the mic (obviously), forever.
I loved how they dealt with their past. I hate drama that comes from miscommunication and misunderstandings because characters fail to explain what bothers them. That didn't happen here at all, their past issues were handled just like grown-ups do. Calm, collected, clear. That's something that stood out to me.

Also, is phantom smell a thing? I swear, the ongoing talk about coffee made me imagine smelling coffee everywhere. And if you aren't a coffee addict and aren't the least bit tempted to at least try one after Ms. Bowen's ODE TO THE BLACK GOLD I don't know what will.

Sarina Bowen mixes romance and suspense with a dash of mystery like a pro (duh!) and the result is a thrilling, captivating read that is on the lighter side and perfect to take your mind off the heavier things these days. This series is just awesome, fingers crossed we get many more books set in THE COMPANY in the future. I had the best time with these easy-to-love characters and hope you'll give this one a whirl!

2 people found this helpful

Love the mystery and intrigue of this romantic suspense audiobook!

“Guilty pleasures", he lays a hand over my wrist, "I don't believe in those. I don't think pleasure should make you feel guilty."

Mystery, intrigue, coffee and pie, throw in some sexy romance and this audiobook book has it all! The narration was stellar, Joe and Vanessa nailed the tension and banter between Gunner and Posy, they even had me yelling at the characters when the suspense had me on the edge of my seat! This story had me laughing (especially the coffee guru), gasping and swooning over all things Gunner and Posy.

There’s a cyber security war going on and Gunner Scott and his company are in the middle of it all. His specialty is covert ops but this time going undercover to find the informant means he’s working in a Coffee shop for his ex Posy Paxton. One kiss may be all they shared in the past but the chemistry from years ago is still hot as ever. I loved how feisty Posy was and that she made Gunner work to get back into her good graces. Their banter was HOT, Gunner was really a man that was hard to resist and Posy’s strength was tested at every turn. Gunner’s charm had me enamored, I would definitely have left a big tip in his jar.

"He's the kind of hot that knows he's hot, he's got this irritating smile, I call it the ,'Loverboy’ smile. He uses it as a weapon."

The mystery of who was behind the dark web posts about the killer on the loose gave a great suspenseful element to the story. The plot definitely threw me for a loop when part of the mystery was revealed, it made for a great twist and had me wanting to go back and see how I missed it! This series has me hooked and I am excited to see what comes next for the company and the cyber security war they are still fighting.

2 people found this helpful

Entertaining

This is not my favorite Sarina Bowen book but it is an entertaining listen. The pies and coffee.made my mouth water.

1 person found this helpful

Another convert to the magic of java…

****4.5 Stars****

Like any Sarina Bowen fan will know, reading or listening to one of her stories has the potential to leave you with a big goofy smile on your face. I was goofy smiling all over the place. The love part of the story was sigh worthy and left me ‘ain’t love grand’ … ing. The murder, mystery, and mayhem part answered my questions but also left me wanting to know more. I don’t mind finishing a story mostly satisfied because I’m convinced we’re going to catch the baddies soon.

I am absolutely loving The Company series. My favourite part of Loverboy was the conversion of a non-coffee drinker to another believer of the magic of java. I, myself, love coffee, but unfortunately, I live in a house of coffee haters. (CRAZY BUGGERS!!) Even crazier is that they don’t even like the smell of it. I’m always saying to my boys … if you just give this one a try, it will change your mind. As yet, I have not had any success. Hubby is a lost cause, but I’m convinced that university could be the changing point for my sons.

This is a second chance romance and I thought it was done very well. The misunderstanding that stopped their attraction in its tracks when they were younger, was cleared up with a calm conversation now that they are older. I loved that the author handled it in an age appropriate way. No screaming or teary outbursts. Sure, there were times of contemplation remembering their feelings of hurt. It was obvious that both Gunner and Posy had grown a lot and were definitely in a better headspace.

The storyline was captivating, the connection between Posy and Gunner was obvious, and I definitely believed in their happy ever after. I enjoyed meeting the additional characters and admit to complete surprise when one of the mysteries was solved. Posy’s ex was a douchewaffle, and I hated how self-absorbed he was.

The narrators do an excellent job. I have listened to and enjoyed Joe Arden for a while now but I’m fairly new to Vanessa Edwin, and what I have listened to, I have enjoyed. I thought they worked well together, and I would not hesitate to listen to more of their narrations in the future. Emma Wilder has a very small part in this production, but her familiar voice was welcomed.

I’m starting to really settle in to listening to my advance copies. It does take a wee bit more concentration because I can’t afford to be distracted or lose my place. I find listening on my morning walk works well and an hour (or two… or three) dedicated listening during the day, works well too. The other day my son walked into my room and asked me why I play Candy Crush and Solitaire for hours. I explained to him that I like to be doing something as I listen but nothing that taxes my brain too much. I am getting to LEGEND status on Candy Crush. 😉

Another great story by Sarina Bowen and I can’t wait for more in The Company series. Fingers crossed we get Scout and Max up next.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced audio copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

1 person found this helpful

A fun suspenseful romantic comedy that will make you hungry for pie

I have been looking forward to Loverboy since I finished Moonlighter and it was everything I expected and more. Joe doing comedy is always a fun listen for me. Joe narrating Sarina’s words made it even better. I chuckled out loud so often while listening that I got stink eyes from my remote learning kids #sorrynotsorry. Also Vanessa Edwin’s libido is slutty and desperate and oh so funny.

If you like Sarina’s work you know you are in for some snarky banter and heart warming characters. This series is a fun listen because there were so much more to like. I mean industrial espionage and pies galore. I had to google the pies while listening and it made me so hungry.

Bon appetit!

1 person found this helpful

Swoonworthy, Intense and Fun. It is perfection!

I am seriously in love with this book, and the audiobook is so good! It is amazing. Joe Arden and Vanessa Edwin did an outstanding job. They are perfect as Gunnar and Posy, especially Vanessa. Wow. They killed it. I have listened to it so many times and I love it more each time. This one is for keeps, people. It is the kind of audiobook perfection one can listen to over and over again.

Loverboy is a must read, page-turner, second chance/frenemies to lovers romance with a side of danger, incendiary chemistry, and laugh-out-loud banter that will leave you breathless and craving pie desperately. And I’m especially serious about the pie.

Get yourself some pie and be ready to not be able to put this gem down until you reach the end.

Loverboy brings us back to the world of private cyber security, intrigue, and crazy conspiracies of The Company. It is the second book in the series, but a complete standalone, so you can jump right in!

Loverboy is suspenseful, sweetly romantic, hilarious at times, and definitely steamy. Gunnar is ruthless, cocky, and charming, definitely book boyfriend material. Swoonworthy. Posy is resourceful and smart, strong and independent, but also vulnerable. They make such a wonderful couple.

Gunnar and Posy are old rivals with enough chemistry to set her pie shop on fire. Their banter is witty, the attraction between them is palpable, and the anticipation will keep you on the edge of your seat. They have history, a single but earth-shifting kiss fifteen years ago, so the tension between them has been simmering for a very long time. And they’re about to explode.

Gunnar Scott runs the West Coast side of The Company, but his previous connection to Posy is what makes Max assign him the task of going to work for her, undercover as a barista, in order to find a murderer that is targeting hackers. The guy doesn’t even like coffee. Making kittens and hearts with foamy milk feels like a waste of his time. And he’s definitely not looking forward to seeing Posy again.

Posy is having a hard time. She’s struggling to make ends meet. She’s recently divorced and is having trouble finding reliable employees for her fairly new pie shop. And having Gunnar show up for the barista job awakens her crush on him. She has no idea why he showed up, but she can’t turn him away.

I love everything about this series, and about this book. Sarina Bowen is a truly gifted writer. Her words are beautiful, compelling, and witty. She shines every single time. Her characters always have depth and are people you can relate to. They’re three-dimensional and likable. She writes about good guys and strong women, and there’s nothing better than that, in my opinion. Gunnar and Posy are not the exception. And the side characters are just as compelling. That’s probably why I keep wanting to read their stories next.

Loverboy is a masterpiece. It’s the perfect combination of suspense, danger, romance and comedy. The plot is flawless, the setting is perfection, the characters are wonderful, and the story will keep you glued to the book until the end. It is unputdownable.

I know Ladykiller—Max and Scout’s story—is next, but I sincerely hope she has the time and inclination to keep writing in The Company’s world of espionage and cyber security, because it is definitely an amazing series, and she excels at it.

I would recommend this book, and series, to everyone who likes a bit of intrigue and danger with their romance. Seriously guys, Sarina Bowen writes the best book boyfriends.

1 person found this helpful

Sarina Bowen! Please write more romantic suspense!

I loved Moonlighter (The Company Book 1) and it’s hockey romcom meets mystery; Loverboy however is full on romantic suspense with a dash of comedy and it is awesome. Lots is intrigue and action, more layers of Max Bayer revealed, and tons of steam between Gunner and Posey.
The narration is excellent ... This audiobook is what finally made me a Joe Arden fan! Vanessa Edwin jump cuts from serious to silly were spot on. Emma Wilder’s chapter has me anxiously awaiting Book 3!

male voice yuck!!

male voice was terrible!! not realistic at all you could tell it was her changing her voice deeper. Great story but his voice was a turn off#!!

Excellent! ❤️

Wonderful story about Posey and Gunnar. A little bit of intrigue, a good backstory, relatable and likable characters and a heartwarming romance. Loved it.
Posey’s hormones cracked me up. They were probably my favorite character. Lol
The narration was excellent, as always with these narrators. Superb.
I’ll listen to this one again. I’m looking forward to the next book.