A review by mynameismarines
The Boss by Abigail Barnette

2.0

This genre is just not my cup of tea.

I picked this book up for free on Amazon because Jenny Trout and I have something in common: we both spent a crazy amount of time picking apart the Fifty Shades series. I have not read her reviews (writing my own was enough time spent with FS, thanks so much) but readers often link dropped her and said generally amazing things. She decided to write something like Fifty Shades without the awful, so I was curious.

First, props to the author for certainly avoiding the misogyny, abuse and GROSS infused into stories of a similar nature. It was certainly sex-positive, so I appreciate her efforts.

It feels a bit weird to only do this review in comparison, however. I mean, compared to Fifty Shades, yes, absolutely, this was a marked improvement in every way, from characters to plot. On its own, there was still some left to be desired (and I say that, again emphasizing that this just isn't my usual genre. I have very little else to compare it to.)

There were times when I could really tell that this book was originally written as a serial. Certain chapter breaks felt very much created for the benefit of a serial, instead of for the benefit of a book. Not sure if that makes sense, but that's the best way that I can explain the strange pacing at points.

Additionally, the plot was flimsy. This was sex and plot and not the other way around. A lot of the conflict could've been avoided with communication, and though Sohie explained her reasons for not using her words, I'm not a fan of using lack of communication as a means to bolster the tension.

There were moments that in an attempt to avoid tropes, the author tried a little too hard. It was all a bit too manufactured.

I'm not sure that I'll pick up the (non-free) sequel. The book ended on a cliffhanger (an almost literal "what will I do?" if I recall correctly) but I find that I never really cared for the characters. I'm not invested in what she will do next, because she was never endeared to me.

In all, though, I believe Mrs. Trout proved her point: there was no reason for certain other books to be so freakin' life ruining.

ETA: I have no complaints whatsover about the actual writing. It was all polished, clean and the MC had a nice voice. Quality wise, this book is three stars or above. The two stars is a personal taste thing.