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    The Boss
    The Boss
    The Boss
    Audiobook12 hours

    The Boss

    Written by Abigail Barnette

    Narrated by CJ Bloom

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Sophie Scaife almost ran away once, trading her ticket to college for a ticket to Tokyo. But a delayed flight and a hot one-night stand with a stranger changed her mind, putting her firmly on track to a coveted position at a New York fashion magazine.

    When the irresistible stranger from that one incredible night turns out to be her new boss-billionaire and publishing magnate Neil Elwood-Sophie can't resist the chance to rekindle the spark between them . . . and the opportunity to explore her submissive side with the most dominant man she's ever known.

    Neil is the only man who has ever understood Sophie's need to submit in the bedroom, and the only man who has ever satisfied those desires. When their scorching, no-strings-attached sexual relationship becomes something more, Sophie must choose between her career and heart . . . or risk losing them both.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateMay 26, 2015
    ISBN9781494577094

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    Reviews for The Boss

    4/5

    107 ratings14 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Loved it

      This book was a lot like the crossfire series and the fifty shades of grey series and as a big fan of both, I really loved this book and i have already purchased the next book in the series and I can’t wait to read what happens next.
    • 3/5
      For some reason, it felt like I was rereading this book. I don't remember reading it before and it wasn't in my books, so who knows? Completely unbelievable in every way, but cute.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed thisBy chance I picked this book up right after finishing another romance set in the world of magazine publishing. Since that book was great I nearly pit this one down again. Pleased I didn't.I haven't read FSOG so the references to it in this book were lost on me. I like that the story is completely told from the heroine's point of view, and that she isn't a doormat. No big surprises in the plot, but it was written with wit and intelligence and I enjoyed the journey.I'm not a fan of cliffhanger endings, but I do have the next book ready to go so I'm not going to whine about that here.Very highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed thisBy chance I picked this book up right after finishing another romance set in the world of magazine publishing. Since that book was great I nearly pit this one down again. Pleased I didn't.I haven't read FSOG so the references to it in this book were lost on me. I like that the story is completely told from the heroine's point of view, and that she isn't a doormat. No big surprises in the plot, but it was written with wit and intelligence and I enjoyed the journey.I'm not a fan of cliffhanger endings, but I do have the next book ready to go so I'm not going to whine about that here.Very highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      I don't know why I thought this was a stand alone. Fricken cliffhanger.
    • 3/5
      The Boss is the fist book in the series. It's a romance novel that has a hot and steamy S&M theme to it. He's the dominant male boss while she the submissive female personal assistant. Their back story on how they know each other from the past is a little weird, and very unrealistic but I was on board. Neil is twice the age of Sophie, but when it's love and lust, does age really matter? Did I mention he has a sexy English accent? I'll probably check out the other books in the series. This one wasn't half bad. I give it 3/5.
    • 2/5
      Ok so I'm gonna try to keep this short and sweet. I liked the idea of the book at first. Until I found out that Neil is twice Sophie's age. That may be cool for some, just not for me. She constantly swoons over his physique and such and to picture that on a man his age just...I couldn't picture it. I also felt like I was always being reminded of his wealth. We got it, he's super rich. Acknowledge it once then get over it. Sophie also kinda bugged me because she would always compare Neil to other guys, and not necessarily sexually, by saying how when they did this or that if it had been anyone else telling her she would have ran or wouldn't let that happen. It all just became too much of a bore for me. Frankly I was more interested in all the deceit and betrayal going on at their jobs than their actual "relationship". The end was a cliffhanger, but I don't mind cliffhangers because if the book was that good then it will just make me want to read the next book that much more. However, because this book didn't do much for me, I peeked at what was to come from the next book and based on what I've seen I won't be continuing this series. It's just not for me.
    • 4/5
      I was really happy with this take on Fifty Shades. I disliked that book immensely. Here Barnette takes the premise and makes good, and it's wonderful. It's a healthy relationship, they seem to be mutually attracted to and happy with one another, Sophie is a sexually confident individual, and Neil is good at gauging what she can handle when. It's a lot of fun, as far as these go. The D/s relationship is on a believable scale too, so no freaky secret rooms to be had. I think the best part was the very beginning, where it started out on a "Devil Wears Prada" note, then quickly turned into what that novel would have been like if the witch boss were replaced by a nice, smoking hot older man.The only thing I didn't like was the ending, where it felt like a lot of things happened at once, then none of them were resolved. The pace through most of the novel was perfect, and the relationship matured quite well with not a whole lot of drama... then about a dozen dramatic things happen right at the end. It makes me hesitate to pick up the sequel, because I hated seeing such a blatant lead-in. But it doesn't really diminish this book.
    • 3/5
      I picked this up from amazon after reading the author's hilarious recaps of the abysmal 50 Shades trilogy. Now THIS is how you write an erotic romance

      The chemistry between Neil and Sophie was fantastic. Initially my first thoughts on starting were its very Devil Wears Prada with an erotica theme. However, other than being set at a fashion magazine, it wasn't really anything like Devil Wears Prada.

      The characters compliment each other well, and their mutual respect for each other make the BDSM scenes really hot. The plot was pretty good too, if a little too predictable.

      A thoroughly enjoyable read, really hot! Looking forward to the next in the series.
    • 3/5
      Smart sexy and I wish I hadn't read this one before its sequel.
    • 4/5
      This review will contain some spoilers and features my comments on both books in this series as it seems I am having difficulties to separate them when they are so intricately entwined.

      There are many things I really loved in The Boss, first and foremost Neil Elwood who is easily one of the best doms and heroes I have come upon in a long time. Neil is a gentleman to the core and he is allowed to have flaws and to be human, to be unsure and normal while still exuding a very powerful, strong and dominating vibe. I have been reading romances so long that I am really tired of those clichéd doms who see a woman, know she's submissive, know her every move and thought, can read her mind, never overstep boundaries and are picture perfect no matter what life throws upon them.


      In the story Neil meets Sophie six years ago when she's but a girl of eighteen, unsure of how her life is supposed to continue and ready to experiment with a man who is 24 years her senior. They spend one night together and accidentally meet again six years later in a work related surrouding. Neil has ever since that first night been in love with Sophie and is very honest about his emotions, but reluctant to reveal them to her for fear she might run away as she only consents to a no-strings sexual fling. The way Neil shows his love to Sophie and lives it is splendidly done, all the more so as we don't get any insight to his mind because the story is exclusively told by Sophy as the I-narrator.
      Neil is disgustingly rich, doesn't flaunt his money but also isn't ashamed of it. I can't count the number of books I have read where the hero is somewhat (or more) damanged by former lovers because they only wanted his money. Not so in this case because, THANK YOU Abigail Barnette, Neil is intelligent enough to know and feel whether a woman has the hots for his money or him.

      Neil needs a great heroine and equal counterpart and finds her in Sophy who is a sexual adventurous and free spirited fashion journalist. I am always a little afraid of super cute and over the top quirky narrating when reading a story told from the first point of view by the heroine. And while the narrating has a subtle, sometimes ironic dialogue it is subliminal and polished and very captivating and easily to get into. Sophy is a strong heroine but not perfect. She does make mistakes and has faults, but her heart is in the right place and she's a truly good, honest and warm person. She falls in love with Neil during the first book and doesn't realise so until reality crashes down on her, making her realise that she has fooled herself by trying to keep sex and her heart separated from each other.

      A few days ago I bemoaned the fact that I can't find any good BDSM romances out there featuring a m/f pairing, as the heroine tends to make me tear my hair out. After reading both parts of this series I can honestly say that this dry spell has ended. Neil and Sophie start out their relationship in a vanilla setting and only when Sophy shows interest in the lifestyle Neil slowly begins to introduce various gadgets and D/s scenes into their sex life. Sophy shows true character strength when it comes to domination and submission. Unlike as in so many other books, she is not ashamed of her feelings OR her body, she is a sexually healthy creature who enjoys sex and doesn't feel slutty because of doing so. The first book is very tame where BDSM elements are concerned, but oh so hot and well done, as, and I know I am repeating mysself here, Neil is a gentleman with a very very lovely chocolaty layering. And for me it was this indisputable love Neil feels for Sophy that made the darker elements of BDSM from the second book so special. I wouldn't recommend this mini series to a reader who is new to BDSM as the second book, The Girlfriend, introduces some stronger play and also features two menage scenes.

      There are two topics in this book that are not really common elements in most romances, cancer and abortion. Personally, I would have preferred the book only dealt with Neal's cancer and not additionally with Sophy's abortion of their child. I am very glad to have never been in the situation where such a decision was necessary, but the whole scenario surrounding this topic was dealt with, for my taste, too easily. Sometimes the consequences of abortion can catch up with you years later, while the initial act is rather easily done. In this case, it felt to me as if Sophy and Neal have become victims of the plot, as there was probably no way to deal satisfyingly with the situation. Usually, I don't read books where cancer is a huge topic in it. There's too much of that in my real life so I don't want to read about it in hot and steamy romance novels. However, the author did a very very good job of dealing with the subject and, in this case, I was very glad I could push myself to read outside my comfort zone. I have little knowledge of leukemia, but the medical procedures and dealing with the chemotherapy appeared very realistic to me. And as a reader I really got to see another kind of love between Sophy and Neal which has nothing to do with sex and everything with a deep emotional connection that goes soul deep. It's during Neal's illness that I got to really see Sophy's strength and her true love for Neal and how those two are simply meant to be together.

      Neal and Sophy's relationship, however, has a deep focus on sex and this is the reason why they introduce a third player into their play while Neal is too ill to satisfy Sophy. I didn't mind the sharing part, for that I've definitely read too many erotic romance novels, but I would have wished for an outsider who was closer to them and not a total albeit very sexy and hot stranger. I can imagine that this part probably rubbed some readers the wrong way, and while I could have wished for the author to have dealt with the situation differently, it didn't deter me from enjoying the story.

      There are two more elements in the series I would like to mention. Firstly, I have a weak spot for May December romances and I was very pleased that Abigail Barnette didn't turn the age difference into a hot topic until the end. Yes, there are 24 years separating Neal and Sophy, but the love they feel for each other is more important and true and they are intelligent enough to not talk the age difference to death. Secondly, Neal's daughter Emma is the same age as Sophy, and again kudos to the author, there was no sugar coating or downright hate dominating the interaction between them. They are neither portrayed as overly good nor bad but shown as characters who dealt with the situation in a mature but flawed way as such a set up tends to provoke hurt feelings and touchy situations.

      I go with a strong B for the books, mainly because of the abortion issue and the ending felt a bit too abrupt for me. I seriously hope there will be a third part to Sophy and Neal's story, they have truly earned a satisfying happy ending which is longer than an epilogue!
    • 4/5
      I quite literally stumbled across this story by accident. Sometimes that’s how you find the best things in life. That is most definitely the case with The Boss.

      This is story of sexual exploration set in the business world, but unlike a lot of stories in the quickly growing “millionaire kinkster” genre The Boss has hidden depths we rarely find in most erotica. Sophie is young, sarcastic working girl, struggling with the same insecurities many of us face. Despite this she is surprisingly strong, intelligent and even daring. It is easy to believe that she’s survived the cut throat fashion industry and clawed her way to a prized position at Porteras. She is a far cry from the nieve, mousey girls we often see in this genre. This isn't a shrinking violet she knows her shit and isn't afraid to show it.


      Emmy Rossum as Sophie Scaife
      The story is told in first person, through Sophie’s point of view. Seeing the world and other characters through her sharp eyes only made me fall in love with her more. She has a knack for seeing through bullshit, and can be pragmatic enough to know when to pick her battles. Yet she has a big heart and a vulnerability that lends credibility to her young age. Her loyalty and empathy for her friends won me over as well.

      Sophie is that rare kind of character who I not only like, but she’s the kind of girl you want to hang out with and have drinks. Which makes her precarious situation all the more compelling. I often found myself cheering and sympathetically cringing for her. Though, I’m also a little jealous that she gets to play Neil Elwood.

      Speaking of the enigmatic millionaire, he has the pedigree of the classic romantic fantasy alpha male. He’s British, older (in his late forties), richer than god and beneath his controled, professional exterior beats the heart of a intense, sexual dominant. Are you swooning yet? I know I am.

      While Neil fits the archetype of sexy, rich Dom, he too has surprising depth and dimensionality that is rare to see in a male character, in the erotica genre as a whole. So often I’m disappointed to see men like this portrayed as inflexible, overbearing assholes. Or worse as an abusive, insecure manchild. Thankfully, none of those tired, annoying cliches are present in The Boss.

      Neil is a mature, worldly man who is very secure with his masculinity and comfortable with his sexuality. While he is thrown off by seeing Sophie after six years, and shaken by his intense connection with such a younger woman, he treats her with respect and care. He takes steps to educate and empower her in their sexual play and even takes responsibility when he makes a mistake.


      He also has a sharp sense of humor, and is compassionate to needs and feelings of those around him, even subordinates. Even from a professional aspect he’s the kind of boss you want to work for, a down to earth, and practical man. He works hard and takes care of his team.

      This strength and empathy translates into his sexual play. Which makes for some of the most intensely, erotic sex scenes I have ever read. Seriously, I would not recommend trying to read this story in a public place.

      One of the greatest surprises about this story is it is free. Barnette has created a blog for the book and she posts new chapters every Friday. Only nine chapters have been posted so far, but she recently updated the blog with an announcement that she had completed the first draft of the entire story.

      I cannot recommend this story enough. Whether your a fan of BDSM or just straight up erotica, it will capture your imagination and set your pants on fire. Plus it's free. Go read it already.
    • 4/5
      My introduction to Abigail Barnette came through her Fifty Shades recaps, which are brilliant, hilarious, scathing critiques of a truly terrible piece of fiction.

      This book is...How to say this? It's like the real-life version of Fifty Shades of Grey/Devil Wears Prada, with absolutely lovely, enormously likeable characters. And it is incredibly feminist in the most beautiful ways.

      I have more to say, but I'm exhausted. I'll come back and write more soon.
    • 4/5
      I really really liked this.

      It's choppily paced since it started life as a serialised story and I'm not too keen on the ending due to this, but otherwise it was great fun to read. It's essentially Abigail Barnette/Jennifer Armintrout going "Hey, EL James. You think you know shit about erotica and BDSM? Think again, sweetie". It's full of knowing winks, genuine humour, characters you don't want to punch in the face, sexy sex and consent! The last one shouldn't be as big a deal as it is but there you go. Neil and Sophie actually discuss the things they're comfortable with in their relationship, she's as into it as he is and there's no deep seated emotional angsty back story explanation to justify why the love interest likes it kinky. He just does. After the painful success of 50 Shades, you have no idea how refreshing it is to just see this done well. Check it out. I got it for free when Armintrout was giving it away but it's worth your money.