Her Valentine Surprise

Manhattan Holiday Loves, Book 2

By: Ayla Asher

Narrated by: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

Sam has a secret he holds close to his heart...

Joy Paulson is fine being single. In fact, it saves her from the maddening dating rituals in Manhattan. If she ever settles down, it will be with someone she truly loves and trusts. That’s why she turns down her super-hot boss when he asks her out, leading to disaster when he retaliates, forcing her termination.

Sam Davidson has pined for Joy since the first time he saw her sweet smile and stunning eyes. But there’s a secret that the shy IT developer holds deep inside: Sam is still a virgin. At twenty-nine, he never intended it to happen, but accepts that he could never please Joy in all the ways she deserves.

Sam can offer her a job, though, and proceeds to help Joy rebuild her life after the unfair firing. As their work relationship grows, Joy is taken with Sam’s kindness, gorgeous crystal-hazel eyes and generous smile. And his hands…oh, his firm, broad hands...Joy can’t figure out why Sam resists the desire that sparks so vividly between them, but Valentine’s Day is coming and she’s determined to seduce him and make them both burn. Even if it means discovering all his secrets...

Inexperienced hero trope lovers unite! This is a fun, fast-paced, steamy novella from an author who wanted to flip the script and write about a sweet, sexy, inexperienced male main character. Sam is so adorably sensual and endearing, he might just melt your heart. Here’s wishing you a fantastic Valentine’s Day all year round!

©2020 Ayla Asher (P)2020 Valerie Eubanks

sexy cute story

Ayla Asher has written a short sexy story, that is not without its drama. Joy, a perfectionist executive assistant, Sam the cute, shy IT nerd guy, and her hot sexy boss. Her boss retaliates, fires her, when she turns down a date with him. Joy is at a loss when she was fired.
Sam quit his job, hired her for his new IT company, and SamJoy was formed. Sam shows his vulnerability when around Joy. He always had a crush on her. He has a major secret he's withholding from her. Their connection is electric, and Joy has a plan for a Valentine Surprise for him.
Wen Ross and Kai Kennecott duet narration is great! They make it an enjoyable experience listening to this story. I was gifted this story and offered my honest review

Conflicted

I like the story and I like the narrators, but I felt what Joy did was much like what Drake did at the beginning of the story. I also wish Sam had been a little more developed.

GOOD READ!

This book was a good read with a very sweet romance. The narration was good and kept me entertained! The author did a good job with the character builds and plot! I look forward to reading the next book in this series! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Enchanting Love story!

Ayla Asher has written a magical slow burn romance. It has excellent plot and character development. Joy is a strong and intelligent woman who follows her instincts. Sam is intelligent, caring, loving, and hides an embarrassing secret. Both of these characters must learn how to compromise and communicate. I love how the romance blooms between Sam and Joy and how the sex scenes are so romantic and loving. Joy also has 2 girlfriends that share absolutely everything and one who has a partner that hears everything and put his two cents in. He also becomes a good friend with Sam. At the end Sam risks everything that he has worked for and possibly his freedom in order to prove his love for Joy.

Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott adds so much humor and love in their duet narration. They bring the emotions and personalities of these characters to life. When I listen to them I get so caught up in the story that I actually feel a part of it. I definitely highly recommend this Audible book. This author and these narrators have created a fun and delightful story.

WOW!

Alya Asher has written an amazing love story! Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott are wonderful working together narrating books. You can feel the connection they have for each other by just listening to their voices.

SamJoy

Book 2 in Asher's Manhattan Holiday Loves series. This book is the story of Sam and Joy. This is a beautiful romance that is sweet and steamy and perfect for Valentine's day! I love the characters - Sam is just the sweetest and Joy is so open. I adore the bond Joy has with her besties and Carter is a blast with his 2 cents. The growth that these two have as characters as well as in their relationship is great. I loved the open communication and emphasis on how important that is. A great read with good characters, storyline and flow. Dual narration is awesome - I loved it and felt it brings more of these characters emotions to life - very well done!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Refreshingly sweet book

OVERALL: This is my first book from Ayla Asher, and my first audiobook narrated by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross. This is a really fun easy listen. There’s no crazy drama or unhealthy relationships. I have been immersed in “alpha male” romances as of late (nothing wrong with those; I love them too!), and this was a fresh breath of air! What you do have is a great holiday book, and I’m a sucker for a good holiday book!

STORYLINE: I don’t know that I’ve listened to a book like this in a long time, to be honest -- a guy longing for a woman he works with, but without the extra drama. It’s honestly an extremely sweet tale, but also very honest and real at the same time. It’s a slow burn, but it’s worth it!

CHARACTERS: Sam and Joy are fantastic characters. Both are quite relatable in this workplace romance. Sam is an adorable, shy self-proclaimed “geek.” Joy knows what she wants, and she’s honest and straightforward about it. There are no games here with these two, which is pretty refreshing. I love all the girlfriends chatting! It is one of my favorite parts of the book overall. They have a really wonderful bond, and I enjoyed it immensely.

NARRATION: First, the duet narration was fantastic, and I felt it really enhanced the storytelling. I was really pleasantly surprised by both narrators! They work really well together, and the chemistry is palpable at times. Kai Kennicott has a great cadence when she speaks, and she’s very easy to listen to. Wen Ross’s voice is warm, inviting, and seductive, like a good bourbon.

Sweet, sexy book

This is my first book by Ayla Asher and it didn’t disappoint. Joy and Sam work for the company and Sam has been in love with her from afar ever since he met her. Joy has noticed how nice Sam is but hasn’t noticed until now how attractive he is. I really enjoyed this book watching Sam and Joy build a relationship based on friendship. Even though I typically like the alpha male character, I really liked Sam, a sweet and very shy guy. Joy is also very nice but much more direct, which Sam needs. This book also had a good amount of steam to go along with the sweet. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

So sexy and sweet!

I love Sam and Joy! I loved that Sam was the inexperienced hero. I don't know why but it just made him so much hotter. I was swooning so hard for him. It did not take him long to turn into a dirty talking, sex God. It was all Joy and her influence and corruption on him. 🤣🤣🤣 I was so upset with all the things Joy went through. And then Sam came to save the day, just the biggest freaking sweetheart and hottest nerd EVER! The sexual tension was just on fire. I was wrapped up in this story and never wanted it to end! You're going to love it just like I do!

Not your typical office romance!

Joy is an admin at a high powered Ad agency...her boss is hot, but a douche. Her friend in the IT dept is hot, in nerdy kind of way. When Joy’s boss fires her after she refused to date him, she thinks that her life is over. Sam has been in love with Joy since he started working at the Ad agency and looks forward to any excuse to visit her desk. However, the IT guy is too shy...until he has the perfect solution for Joy. SamJoy IT Services is born! Sam has a huge secret that keeps him from acting on his feelings...until Joy takes matters into her own hands. This is another great story in the Manhattan series! Looking forward to the next book
I voluntarily accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review