Her Secret Fling

by Sarah Mayberry

Book Overview

Jake Stevens--star reporter and celebrated literary genius--is a snake. How else to explain the way he turns Poppy Birmingham's hero worship into loathing with a single conversation? So what if she's got a lot to learn about journalism? Aren't they coworkers now? On the same team? Jake can take his attitude and... Then during a job-related road trip, their relationship goes from antagonistic to hedonistic in no time flat. And suddenly Poppy can't...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373795211
• ISBN13: 9780373795215
• Release Date: December 2009
• Publisher: Harlequin Blaze
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Not your average office romance

I don't know how she does it but Mayberry manages to take one of the most overdone romance story lines and make it fresh, funny and deeply emotional. A very satisfying read. I am drawn to love/hate office romances but most of Harlequin's seem to be of the "boss's mistress secret baby" variety. This one isn't. Its a spectacularly well done office (or any really) romance. Jake and Poppy are the perfect protagonists, both with their own insecurities vowing never to leave themselves open for pain and hurt until they fall deeply in love and don't even realize it. That's when the fun begins. Mayberry does a great job building up tension between these two so that the pages nearly sizzled (its a Blaze after all!). But I think my favorite parts are funny little quips and quotes *goodbye and thanks for the orgasms!* which really sets apart her style. Just a great romance. Highly recommended. Other favorite of hers- Anything For You (Harlequin Blaze) Below The Belt (Harlequin Blaze)

Loving you Ms Mayberry :)

You've always done a great book, but this book shows you maturing with your writing even more. I really enjoyed it :) It was a wonderful storyline, plenty of fleshed out characters with grown-up emotions, and I really appreciate it wasn't the atypical story of a man who wouldn't commit but was different. A man who had committed and had gotten really burned. Thanks for giving us a "real" story. You are a wonderful writer and I look forward to more of your work!

Another Winner from Mayberry

The setting is a newspaper, the Melbourne Herald. Our heroine is a former professional swimmer who is the the paper's newest writer. Our sexy hero makes it clear that he isn't happy with the newest staff member. Our heroine is determined to succeed at her new career and refuses to let the hero's rude attitude stop her. Hmmm... let's start with Jake the jerk. LOL Okay, I totally get why our handsome, award winning writer is not happy when someone with no writing experience is given the job of columnist. He's worked hard to get to where he is and to have someone come in without paying their dues really ticks him off. Mayberry had her work cut out for her when she wrote Jake. He really was a jerk to Poppy when they first meet. Beyond his good looks, I didn't like Jake at first. I liked Poppy and Jake was mean to her. Bastard. So for me to come around to not only liking Jake but liking him with Poppy, Mayberry had to work her magic, and she did. Poppy Birmingham gives up her swimming career when an injury forces her into early retirement. When offered a job as a columnist she takes it, looking for a career away from the pool. Her first day on the job doesn't go as well as she'd hoped. She does get to meet her hero, columnist and author Jake Stevens. She also gets a rude awakening when he's less than friendly, making it clear that he thinks she's just a dumb jock. This attitude doesn't help Poppy's insecurities. She knows the only reason she got the job is because of her experience in the sports world. She barely finished high school and with that in mind she has enrolled in an evening writing class. I totally enjoyed Poppy's persistence. The way she refused to let Jake get to her while still finding him attractive. You go girl! Show him what you're made of! She was great when it came to standing up to Jake. There were times when she was barely able to hold it together but she did and I couldn't help but cheer her on. It turns out she's a natural when it comes to getting the story. Her insight into the athletes world gives her writing a unique perspective. Jake was funny with his irritation and dislike for Poppy while grudgingly admitting, if only to himself, that he finds her attractive. "He couldn't help noting the firm bounce of her ass as she walked. Probably she could crack walnuts with that, too. He wondered idly what she looked like naked. Most swimmers didn't have a lot happening up top, but she clearly had a great ass and great legs." page 20 He's caught and he doesn't even know it. LOL This is early on and Jake is still acting like an ass towards Poppy. Still wallowing in his own problems and willing to take out his frustrations on her. Jake is suffering major writers block. His one and only novel was a huge success but that was years ago. His personal life took a downward spiral and the only writing he has done are his columns for the paper. His second novel is still rattling around in his head and he can't seem to get it out. Maybe h