Total Creative Control

Joanna Chambers, Sally Malcolm — 2021

"Pure delicious pleasure! This witty romance is full of toe-curling chemistry, slow-burn fun, and gasp-worthy plot twists. The drop-everything read of the year!" New York Times bestselling author Annika Martin Sunshine PA, meet Grumpy Boss... When fanfic writer Aaron Page landed a temp job with the creator of hit TV show, Leeches, it was only meant to last a week. Three years later, Aaron's still there... It could be because he loves the creative challenge. It could be because he's a huge Leeches fanboy. It's definitely not because of Lewis Hunter, his extremely demanding, staggeringly rude...and breathtakingly gorgeous boss. Is it? Lewis Hunter grew up the hard way and fought for everything he's got. His priority is the show, and personal relationships come a distant second. Besides, who needs romance when you have a steady stream of hot men hopping in and out of your bed? His only meaningful relationship is with Aaron, his chief confidante and indispensable assistant. And no matter how appealing he finds Aaron's cute boy-next-door charms, Lewis would never risk their professional partnership just to scratch an itch. But when Lewis finds himself trapped at a hilariously awful corporate retreat, Aaron is his only friend and ally. As the professional lines between them begin to blur, their simmering attraction starts to sizzle ... And they're both about to get burned.

Reviews

Alexa Writes@alexawrites

Feb 4, 2023

Whoo did I enjoy this!! A well-rounded mix of angst, fluff, humour and banter, with characters that felt real and their chemistry visible from the very start.

I’m honestly a bit surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It’s been sitting in my sample folder for about a month and I finally felt in the mood for it. I went in not expecting to even get past the sample since I’m not that much of a fan of romances involving celebrities/royalty/etc. But I was hooked! Made it through the sample in no time and couldn’t help but continuing right away (and as somebody who doesn’t like time jumps - which between the first and second chapter of this there is three years- I found this to be the right move and helped set up their dynamic even more and of anything, enhanced it!)

The UST was just the right amount to the slow burn and I loved the dynamic between the characters.

And on top of that I was totally invested in the tv show they were creating.

I loved how this book discussed the distance between a lot of big creators and their fans and how passion is more important than money/writing a certain thing because that’s what they think will sell. I think this is super important and I cannot express how happy I was that Lewis kept true to the story he was creating, and that Aaron wouldn’t compromise on what he thought was right either.

I found myself frustrated for Lewis and Aaron at Charlie and the way the show was going, smiling with them when they were having fun, cheering for them. They were so easy to get invested in.

I loved how these characters felt so real. Lewis had all these issues hiding just under the surface that his inability to be intimate (until Aaron) made sense, which made the ‘third act break up’ palatable and downright insanely in character. And Aaron who was all sunshine, who couldn’t allow himself to admit he was in love with Lewis for so long because he knew what it would mean for them, but who, once recognising it, owned those feelings so fast and decided to talk about it with Lewis instead of talking around in circles. Just, perfect.

They talked, like adults, and I can and do appreciate that so much.

Just, loved this and totally recommend!!

This review contains a spoiler