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Very Holiday #1

A Very Bossy Christmas

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What’s the actual last thing you’d ever want your executive assistant to see you doing the morning after you had hot, drunk, angry sex with her in a terrible hotel room? Dancing around your terrible hotel room to “Come and Get Your Love” like Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy—naked? Yeah. Me too.

And yet, here we are.

This isn’t even the most unprofessional thing that’s happened between us in the past couple of weeks.

The first was when I agreed to let her have Christmas Day off, but only if she goes with me to three family gatherings as my fake girlfriend.
The second was when she caught me belting out a Christmas song on stage in the awful hotel bar.
The third was the hot, drunk, angry sex that followed, but I do not regret it.

And she hasn’t even found out the real reason I need her by my side this holiday season.

I need to pull it together before I do the dumbest, most unprofessional thing of all—fall head over heels in love with the only assistant who’s lasted more than a month at the job and claims to hate me and my moods more than she hates eggnog.

And I’ve seen how much she hates eggnog.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2020

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About the author

Kayley Loring

34 books1,420 followers

Amazon Top 25 and USA Today bestselling author Kayley Loring spent many years as a screenwriter (under a different name) in Los Angeles before moving to the Pacific Northwest to live out her childhood dream of being a Disney heroine who talks and sings to woodland creatures. When not trying to keep animals alive, she’s writing steamy romantic comedy novels, obviously. She’s breathing cleaner air, writing dirtier words, and staring at her computer screen until her eyeballs dry out instead of prancing around Southern California in miniskirts and going to the hair salon. Still waiting for the woodland creatures to clean her house, though.
Read or listen to Kayley’s books when you want to laugh, warm your heart, and enjoy top-notch banter, strong heroines who need to be chased, lovable characters you’d want to know in real life, and swoon over perfectly imperfect book boyfriends.

To receive emails with exclusive content and info about new releases, please sign up for Kayley's newsletter here:

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,168 reviews
Profile Image for Leticia (jerseygirlsbookshelf).
425 reviews231 followers
August 11, 2021
"Except I barely even remember how things used to be before I could call her baby without her rolling her eyes at me."
This book is PERFECT! I think I may be on a book-high (is there such a thing?) right now, but this was just spot on! Awesome writing, great characters, and the story... WOW! This was my first book by Kayley Loring, but I sure do want to read more!

"He gestures, asking if he can enter my home. Like a vampire. Like a vampire who smells like camping sex in a forest when it rains."
So, Declan. I think I may be in love with Declan right now. He is swoony, he is sexy, he is hot and the alpha male of your dreams. And he is also a sweetheart, and a caring person underneath all the lawyer exterior he displays. I need to find me a Declan. Anyone?

"I am not genetically programmed to remain silent."
I adore Maddie. For real. She is strong, badass, independent, stubborn, and professional. She knows what she wants and she goes for it. She is feisty, she takes BS from no one and she obviously speaks her mind.

"I need this right now, more than I need my dignity. I need this woman. This is all I want for Christmas."
So, they work together - he's the boss, she's the assistant, but she keeps him in his place. And when he needs a date for a family function and to appease his family, he resorts to her, because there's always been something about her that drove him wild... And this gives them both a lot more than they bargained for.

Their banter throughout the book is incredible. I was laughing out loud, and swooning a bit at times. The texts they exchange, their bickering, the teasing and the flirting, the chemistry, the hotness of it all... look, I may be repeating myself, but this is perfect!

"The woman I’ve wanted to call and text and see again and again, ever since the first time we spoke. The woman who has handled me exactly the way I’ve always needed to be handled."
Add to it some Christmas spirit, an Irish-Italian family – in fact, both their families are the sweetest thing –, a hot Long Island ferry ride, some mention of the Irish brogue (I lived in Ireland for a while, and yes, it's definitely sexy!) and a few more accents that left me giggling, and this is such an incredible read.

"I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you"

"Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues, one of my favorite Christmas songs ever sums it up quite nicely. They both needed to realize they can't make it on their own, and their dreams are built around each other.

There's a huge smile on my face. Can't wait to read more of Ms. Loring's writing!
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
2,573 reviews25.1k followers
December 3, 2023
A Very Bossy Christmas is book one in the Very Holiday series by Kayley Loring. This is my very first book by Kayley! You know, every once in awhile you come across a book that just blows your mind. That you smile all the way through, that you fall desperately in love with the two main characters. That makes you swoon, laugh out loud, and makes you highlight every other sentence! THIS was that book! There aren’t enough stars to rate this, five is definitely not enough! I could just stop this review right here and end it with, “read it!” But here is a little more about these amazing characters!



Declan Cannavale is thirty two years old and is a lawyer for Sentinel, a very large and very successful real estate firm in New York City. Declan might be a bit of a Grinch. Maybe a bit of a work-a-holic. He’s trying to do better on that one! And, according to some, he might be thought of as the world’s worst boss.



Maddie Cooper is Declan’s executive assistant. She is twenty eight years old. Maddie is very good at her job. She keeps Declan’s life in order and never bats an eye at whatever he has to dish out. And I also can’t fail to mention Maddie’s very adorable thirteen year old niece, Piper! This kid is amazing!

Maddie doesn’t want to work on Christmas day. Declan needs a fake girlfriend for some family events. So a deal is struck! Only Maddie doesn’t know the real reason Declan needs her to be his date. And both of these two are keeping their attraction to the other one a secret. But when you get out of New York, add in a little alcohol and a few Christmas Carols, who knows where things might end up?!!



With the advantage of being the reader, we are privy to the goings on inside Declan’s head and the hints he gives to his true feelings. This guy had me so in love with him. I love holiday books. But I think I can honestly say that it’s this one I’ll remember the most! If you only read one holiday book this year, make it this book. I suspect that like me, you will then be promising that there will be many more to come by this author. The next book in the series is Declan’s brother, Eddie’s book, A Very Friendly Valentine’s Day. I will be reading this a little closer to that holiday and I can’t wait!

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

Profile Image for Mia.Mi.Jou.
246 reviews98 followers
January 9, 2022
5+ STARS!!

re-read July 2021
Am I reading a Christmas love story in the middle of the summer? Yep. And how PERFECT it was 😄. The story isn't any original, but the way it is written is just so amazing... I really love it.
And I almost died in the chapter 24. Just hilarious😂

original review December 2020
This is hands down the best rom-com I've read this year and I'm honestly glad I've chosen to read it just during Christmas. It brought me cheer and it simply made my day.
I loved it. everything. all the characters, the story, writing. It was hilarious and sweet at the same time. Definitely one of my all-time-fav.
Profile Image for Paula.
641 reviews16 followers
February 15, 2021
Oh my gawd!!! Have you ever read something that you loved so much & couldn’t put it down – only for the author to insert something that didn’t quite ruin it for you but still made you mad? Well, I would say that for me at least, 99% of this read was drool worthy. That 1% was the dreaded & WAYYYY over used plot of inserting ex’s in a plot that had no business being in the first place! So while it didn’t ruin it for me, it still left me mad & disappointed that the author actually went there!

SPOILER WARNING!!!

First, the good parts…

Declan is a lawyer who comes from a big & loving family made of half Italians & Irish, and Maddie is his Assistant of two months and also has a big loving/crazy family of her own. Declan’s Granny & Piper (Maddie’s 13 yr old niece) who was obsessed with Declan’s butt was a hoot!! That little girl in particular had me in stitches from the first moment she was introduced!

Then about halfway through, we get to the dreaded OW plot…!

So Declan’s brother is getting married & his mom wants him to come home for Christmas but Declan does not want to go because he has issues with his brother & the woman he is marrying. Turns out that the OW (his brother’s fiancée) is Declan’s ex-girlfriend. He & she had met in college when they were 19 and had been dating on & off for over a decade and loved each other. They even lived together for a year and he was planning to marry her, but a year prior (on Christmas) she broke up with him because she felt he was not around or listening to her anymore and then hooked up with his brother. It was mentioned that she didn’t cheat on him because she had broken up things with Declan but he never got over the betrayal and hasn’t talked to his brother or his ex since then until Maddie comes into the picture and makes him deal with it.

Anyway, Declan asks Maddie to come home with him & pretend to be his fake GF – only they develop feelings along the way and fall in love.

Their journey was so sweet & funny but the thing that annoyed me is that there was no reason to insert all that crap of his past history with the OW. While it wasn’t as bad as some other reads these days that have the Hero obsessing, mourning, etc. for most of the story about the ex, this Hero was not doing none of those things and that was what prevented me from DNF’g. But…I still hated reading the fact that he loved the OW at one time and that she was a nice/sweet person. Even though she didn’t cause any drama or angst (in fact, the opposite as she was truly in love with his brother), I hated that author had to tell us how he was with her for so long and planning to marry her and win her back. I understood & commiserated at his sense of betrayal at his brother for “stealing” his girl even though they had been over at the time, I still hated the double-dipping sibling thingy though which is always gross IMO. Who would want to have his ex lover sitting at the dinner table each time they got together for family time and even call her “sister”. Oye! Too weird for me!

Then there was also the whole “Tattoo” thingy…..

“Yeah.”
“When’d you get it?”
“College. It was Hannah’s idea.” He moves his arm so I can see the flying bird on the inside of his bicep. “She got one on the back of her neck. So when I put my arm around her shoulder, they were touching. They’d match up.”
“That’s sweet.”
“Yeah. She said that swallows are a symbol of everlasting love and loyalty. Because swallows mate for life.”
*sigh*.

And while he said he went to remove the tattoo after he broke up with her, the tattoo artist told him something about the bird exemplifies strength or something and he decided to keep it. So I chose to have temporary amnesia and forget author inserted that crap because if you take away those stupid sentences, Declan was always about Maddie and no one else in this story – even in his brief memories of the OW! But I am still mad at author for inserting it in the first place!! 😩😭

I used to wonder if I’d be happy enough with just Hannah for the rest of my days, but the only question I have when it comes to Maddie is—is it too soon for me to retire? Because I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to get through an entire workday if I know I could be having sex with her instead.

Anyway, I wish authors would stop with that nonsense but I don’t think they are smart enough to listen to readers so …. 🤷.

But that aside, it was still a very enjoyable read with some wonderful Irish sentiments that will also get you into the Christmas spirit, two very sweet Epilogues & some very bad/phony Bostonian & Staten Islander’s accents (lol!), but I do recommend it to anyone who is looking for a sweet, funny and safe read!

PS: Can’t wait for Eddie’s story! He & his BFF’s story is going to be a hoot!
PSS: What the hell is so great about the The Pogues’ song “Fairytale of New York”? Ugh!

“You want me to acknowledge that this discreet, temporary, simulated consensual romantic relationship during nonworking hours will not interfere with Sentinel’s company policy of teamwork and a harmonious work environment.”

God, I love it when she recites the terms I’ve written.

“I do.”

“And you want me to acknowledge that the discreet, temporary, simulated consensual romantic relationship is not a misuse of your authority over me as an employee and thus cannot be perceived as favoritism or sexual harassment.”

“Do you require further clarification of the terms?”

“I require a blunt object, followed by a stiff drink.”

“I’d be happy to wait for you to consume one stiff drink before proceeding with this discussion.”

“I think I’d be happier if you had come here to murder me.”

“Aww, Coop. I’d never do that. I like having you around.”

“You like bossing me around.” She slides the piece of paper away.

“Not half as much as you like bossing me around.” I wink. “And I don’t mind it either. You’ve been an ideal executive assistant and partner at work. Which is why I think you’d be the most tolerable option as a date right now.”

She blows out a laugh. “Wow. I mean, I can handle the wink, Mr. Cannavale. But I really start to tremble when you lay the sweet talk on that thick.”

I have conflicting emotions about this because now I can see her ass in those jeans, and I’m trying to make this agreement appear as safe and unsexy as possible. But I want to spank that ass. In a very sexy way.

It’s problematic.

------

"Don’t call me Coop. It warms my heart that the prospect of seeing me would drive you to drink, but they only serve two mugs of beer at a time at McSorley’s.”

“I know. I gave one to the guy who was next to me at the counter. I clinked glasses with him, and I said…” I give her my best Irish accent and prepare to catch her when she swoons because it always brings the ladies to their knees. “‘May the winds of fortune sail you. May you sail a gentle sea. May it always be the other guy who says this drink’s on me.’ And then he said, ‘Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one.’” And then I wink at her for good measure.


----------
Why could Maddie not see the way Declan gazed at her longingly with his beautiful amber eyes? Why could she not see the chemistry between them? It was hot enough to melt the North Pole.
So was Declan’s butt.
His perfect, perfect butt.
It was the most perfect man butt Maddie had ever seen, even though she refused to admit it to herself or anyone else.
He had the Holy Grail of butts.


----------
“Took you long enough to disembark” is what he grumbles when he’s finally done eye-banging me.

“I had to help a little old lady find her connecting flight,” I tell him.

“Well, you didn’t have to.” There’s a glint in his tea brown eyes—an evil sexy Christmas elf glint—as he reaches for my overnight bag. I allow him to take it from me, and the touch of his fingers on my shoulder sends tingles all the way down to my south pole. “Come on. Driver’s waiting for us. Thanks for ordering a stretch limo, by the way. Baller move.”

“Well, I just want to travel in the manner to which I have grown accustomed.”

“Uh-huh.”

Okay, so I haven’t been in a stretch limo since prom, and I wanted to make my boss pay for one. I regret nothing. In particular, I do not regret ordering the white stretch limo with neon pink interior strip lighting and complimentary bottle of mediocre champagne because I knew how much he’d hate it. And he does! But it’s not stopping him from knocking back the bubbly.

He hasn’t said a word to me since we climbed inside this monstrosity fifteen long minutes ago. He’s just been typing on his laptop and occasionally glancing up at me to make sure that I’m as uncomfortable as he clearly wants me to be. But I’m not uncomfortable. I’m having a ring-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding blast of a limo ride, and I’m not going to let him ruin it for me just because he’s being a boring naughty-list-sack-of-coal..

---------

"Great. Would you like me to order dinner to be served in your room?”

“Would you be ordering it as my girlfriend who’s pretending to care about me or as my assistant who did not get us the adjoining rooms I requested?”

“I’d be ordering it as the woman who plans on eating dinner in the very nice hotel restaurant and wants to make sure you stay in your room so you don’t ruin it for her.” She sticks her tongue out at me. Actually sticks her tongue out at me, and it’s somehow sexy and makes me want to impregnate her.

------

I also can’t wait to sink my teeth into Declan Cannavale’s butt cheek again. I wanted it, so I took a bite of it. I have never even considered putting my mouth on someone’s butt cheek before in my life, but I couldn’t stop myself, and I have zero regrets. Piper was right. It’s a perfect man butt. I don’t know how I’ll ever get enough of that man’s body in the next week, but by golly, I’m going to feast on him so hard, it will make last night’s dinner look like a Weight Watchers snack.
--------------

“Maddie Cooper…I want to live with you. I want to marry you. I want to make babies with you. I want to grow old with you. I want you to bury me and cry over my grave, and then I want to fall in love with you all over again in heaven. Or hell. We’ll see how good I am at atoning for my sins.”

“Wow. That is the most Catholic thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“I just spent an hour at a Catholic wedding. What’d you expect? Also, I want to go to Ireland and Italy with you.”
Profile Image for Carol Vickers.
414 reviews676 followers
December 15, 2022
What a fun, sweet and spicy Christmas romance story! I absolutely loved it so much. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is the fake date arrangement between a bossy lawyer and his beautiful, intelligent assistant. The ridiculous banter and insane chemistry between Declan and Maddie is priceless. Literally, I have never laughed so hard in my life. My husband asked me if I was good?! 😂

This is my first read by Loring and it will not be my last! If you are looking for a hilarious, steamy and quick holiday book then add this one to your list.
Profile Image for Ainhoa.
412 reviews17 followers
October 7, 2022
I’m rating it solely based in my enjoyment with this.

It was such a nice and fun story. Their banter was priceless and it got me chuckling quite a few times. They were a great couple and him… he was 😍🥰♥️
Profile Image for Jenny - TotallybookedBlog.
1,860 reviews2,067 followers
October 25, 2020
description

5 'Christmas Cheer' Stars

‘I could lose myself in this woman, find myself again…But then what?’

As Declan’s wild Boston cousin Billy would say…this was a ‘wicked pissaah of a book!’ and we feel so happy after reading it. Talk about spreading not only the Christmas cheer but the swoony, sexy, smile-inducing, hilariously funny and all-round fabulous cheer as well. We cannot wipe the smiles off our faces. This book was THE PERFECT remedy for the shit show that is 2020! We couldn’t have found a better escape! An absolute reading delight and a top 2020 fave!

‘I punish her with my tongue.
I thank her with my fingers.
I worship her with my mouth.’


We’ve previously read and adored a couple of Kayley Loring’s books but in A Very Bossy Christmas, we fell completely and utterly in love with EVERY single word and EVERY single character. Wait until you meet cocky lawyer, Declan Cannavale. Ooooh boy, this grouchy workaholic with the dirty mouth and beautiful heart had us swooning so hard we nearly fell off our chairs. This guy was everything!

“You’ve got a big heart, Declan Cannavale. And I’m going to tell everyone.”
“Then I’m going to have to sue you for defamation of character.”


We cannot stress enough how much fun this book was to read! The way in which Kayley Loring executed this story was spot on. Heart-warming and perfectly spot on! This book all the ingredients to make our hearts laugh and sing – unbelievably sizzling chemistry, hilarious banter between ALL the characters! Declan Cannivale’s Irish/American/Italian family and Maddie Cooper’s Staten Island crew had us in stitches. We couldn’t get enough and can’t remember laughing this hard at certain scenes in quite a while.

You know those books you finish and discuss with your book soulmate, every five seconds its– ‘omg remember this bit….’ Oh and ‘what about this bit’ and you spend your time completely smitten and falling in love all over again with everything you’ve read – you just want to talk about it again and again so all those happy feelings resurface. That’s what Kaley Loring did…she made us HAPPY!

‘Colin Firth can kiss my delicious American ass – I’m as romantic as fuck.’

A boss/employee romance, a fake relationship, Christmas chaos, hot heavy sex, emotional turmoil, family drama (albeit in a very amusing way), loveable characters and the funniest banter you’ll encounter, all added up to one of our favourite reads this year. Nothing beats a really good Christmas romance to get you in the Christmas spirit and Kalyey Loring certainly delivered an immensely enjoyable, steamy, romantic and bloody funny early Christmas pressie! Merry Christmas to us! Maddie, Declan and their clans are responsible for two very big goofy grins and giddy hearts!

“Are you okay? What’s happening to your face”
“It’s smiling, Coop”


On a side note: Fans of Emma Chase will love A Very Bossy Christmas! Declan has those same clueless yet vulnerable qualities we love in an Emma hero. Add this to your reading list! You’ll be glad you did!

Pre Order for ONLY 99c/77p Releasing tomorrow 26th October
Available to purchase below
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Profile Image for Syndi.
3,133 reviews910 followers
December 24, 2020
Hmmm... A Very Bossy Christmas is a rom com. And office romance. In Miss Loring's hands, Declan' POV is hilarious. I can use a laugh.

But the story itself is flat. Nothing new. Typical office rom com. I wish it can be more dramatic plot into it. Maybe Miss Loring just inteded this story to be for Christmas reading. Short and fun.

Overall, I do enjoy the book OK

3 stars
Profile Image for Korrie’s Korner.
1,203 reviews13.5k followers
December 5, 2021
5 Jingle hop stars for A VERY Bossy Christmas!

This is my absolute fave Christmas read of the season, and definitely in my top 10 of the year! It is that good!! The bossy Boss, fake relationship with his assistant, the banging chemistry that these two possess, the humor—did I mention the humor! I love this book so much I want to hug it!!

“You want to play with fire, you’d better be willing to get burned.” “By your terrible mood?” “By the hot sting of my bare hand on your ass,” I mutter. Shit. Too far. She meets my gaze in the reflection of the shiny brass doors in front of us and holds it for a fucking eternity, while I get all cozy here in the second circle of hell. “I don’t seem to recall a separate spanking clause in our agreement, Mr. Cannavale.” Well, well. Now the jingle hop has begun.”

“It’s colder than a dead elf’s balls outside.”

This right here. All throughout the book is comedic brilliance tied together with sexiness from another planet.

And the accents that would come out at times made me love it even more! Irish paired with Staten Island = Flaming hot Cheetos hot (my fave Cheetos btw).

I wish I could truly convey my feels for this book. It’s like the author reached deep into my soul, pulling out all my favorite things in an alpha hero, and the heroine was the stuff dreams are made of.

“The woman who has handled me exactly the way I’ve always needed to be handled.”

Plus the vision of Chris Pratt dancing to “Come and Get Your Love” from Guardians of The Galaxy is always one of my fave Marvel scenes, and “seeing” Declan dancing naked to this song is perfection.

So many highlights in this book and I can’t wait to dive back in immediately. This is a book you could literally read all year long, not just at Christmas.
December 30, 2021
4.25 Stars

Spoilers

Super entertaining and funny book. Love the banter and the goofiness of the hero and all the men in his family. Definitely can't wait for their books, but I'm nervous about Eddie's👀 but the hero's thoughts are what really makes the story tbh. He's hilarious, especially while driving, and thoughts like this of his made me laugh

"We let go of each other at the same time, shoving each other away because we aren’t giant pussies. We sit back down, and when I see him touching the corner of his eye with his finger, I do the same. Because I’m so sad for him for being such a fucking cornball."

The only things that held me back from giving it a five star was the hero keeping the matching tattoo that he got with his on and off for a decade, ex🙃 he did see it in a new meaning and I'm glad he wasn't really pining or anything after her, and the heroine not really being jealous or insecure for long made it better, so she didn't feel like second best thankfully, but still, could have done without the tattoo🙃 also, him proposing to the heroine at his ex's and brother's wedding was a little too weird for me. Especially since it's been only like 6-12 months (i think) since he's been split up from her. Proposing to your new gf at your old gfs wedding is NOT the way to go.

Overall, I really liked it tho.


Safety:

Hero has an ex gf that he loved and was on and off with for a decade who is marrying his brother, he doesn't still love her thankfully, and they've been split up for 6-12 months (she broke up with him) He also has a matching tattoo with her. She does make appearances but it doesn't cause any drama.

Heroine mentions a few past ex bfs. Hero mentions he slept with however many women after he broke up with gf. Theyve both been celibate since she started working for him, a few months. He was interested in her while he was with ex (i think around a year and half? Before the start of the story) but wasn't celibate until she started working with him.

No cheating

No ow/om drama (except appearances and talk of the ex). It didn't bother me thankfully as she wasn't trying to cause drama or anything
Profile Image for Stacey.
1,446 reviews1,143 followers
December 27, 2021
LOVED IT!!!

Holy Shamoly, Kayley Loring, where have you been all my life? I absolutely LOVED A Very Bossy Christmas. The characters were awesome, the storyline captivating and the romance perfect. I ran the gamut of emotions, but a smile was on my face through most of it. It was also *shivers up my spine* sexy and left me squirming in my seat. Ms Loring surely knows how to get the heart aflutter.

This is the first book in yonky donks that I've started and finished in one day, I just couldn't put it down. I'm a sucker for a cranky boss romance, but I'm an even bigger sucker for a heroine who knows exactly how to handle their grumpy butts...even if that butt is the sexiest butt in all the land. ;-)

I read A Very Bossy Christmas, but I'm seriously tempted to listen to A Very Friendly Valentine's Day, or, maybe I'll read it first and listen for the re-reads. Who doesn't love an Irish accent? Either way, I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Profile Image for Claire.
2,314 reviews724 followers
January 25, 2021
5 - This is all I want for Christmas Stars!

Kayley Loring gives readers a Christmas book that leaves you smiling, full up with joy and stuffed to the gills with seasonal spirits. Boss/Assistant romances are a favourite trope of mine anyway but put this author’s unique and humorous spin on it and Declan and Maddie’s book was an absolute winner from start to finish.

She’s the executive assistant of my dreams and the succubus from my filthiest, most confusing adolescent nightmares…

Sexy, demanding boss seeks woman to be his fake girlfriend for the holiday season to accompany him to a host of family events… Maddie fits the bill because he knows she knows him better than most people do, and he also knows that it gives him a chance to take the relationship between them from boss/assistant to so much more. Something, they both want but are afraid to initially admit to the other.

One day she’ll figure out that I mean everything that I say to her. And one day I’ll be able to say everything I want to say to her…

A total delight to read, and even better the beginning of a new series with Declan’s brother; Eddie due to get his own book next with; A Very Friendly Valentines due early 2021.

ARC generously provided by the author vie Wildfire Marketing Solutions, in exchange for the above honest review.
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Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,664 reviews3,272 followers
November 14, 2021
5 Oh, My Gawd Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
This is why I love Goodreads. On my feed, a review of this gem was posted and caused me to check it out. Usually, I am able to remember who posted it, and unfortunately, this time I can't. So I am sorry about that...but so happy I decided to give this Christmas-themed book a go. Kayley Loring was a new-to-me author and I will be searching for more from her.

My reason for that is simple: Kayley Loring has figured out how to do fun, sexy, seriously well-done inter-thoughts, text messages, consistent personalities, and make them seem pretty normal.
This is not an easy thing to do. It can go overboard or this side of dumb...but this book was just right and so much fun.

And So Sexy...And Cute...And Unbelievably Romantic, and made you want more.

So go and read this, I promise you will be facepalming and giggling, and wishing Declan was yours and Maddie was your bestie.

Oh, and I feel it in my gut that Pepper our insightful 14-year-old...is due for a book in a couple of years.


A Very Bossy Christmas by Kayley Loring A Very Bossy Christmas
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Profile Image for SzarlottaSzott.
298 reviews40 followers
November 29, 2023
I’m not surprised this gets so many good reviews! The story is very sweet and there are many things which made me smile all the way through. Of course it’s a Christmas romance so you can’t expect that it will blow your mind. But it does bring everything you might want from this type of a story.

I personally loved that the guy had Irish-Italian roots and it created this funny mix of cultures!
Profile Image for Zero (semi-hiatus).
564 reviews24 followers
October 28, 2022
Short and sweet holiday romance.

Declan has feelings for his executive assistant Maddie. He's wary to start anything with her because he's afraid that he'll mess things up. When his family insists that he come home for Christmas, he decides to ask Maddie to pose as his girlfriend and she eventually agrees.

This book was cute and kind of funny, but I wish it had more depth.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series featuring Eddie and his best friend Birdie.
Profile Image for Gitte TotallyBookedBlog.
2,024 reviews938 followers
October 25, 2020
description

description

‘I could lose myself in this woman, find myself again…But then what?’

As Declan’s wild Boston cousin Billy would say…this was a ‘wicked pissaah of a book!’ and we feel so happy after reading it. Talk about spreading not only the Christmas cheer but the swoony, sexy, smile-inducing, hilariously funny and all-round fabulous cheer as well. We cannot wipe the smiles off our faces. This book was THE PERFECT remedy for the shit show that is 2020! We couldn’t have found a better escape! An absolute reading delight and a top 2020 fave!

‘I punish her with my tongue.
I thank her with my fingers.
I worship her with my mouth.’


We’ve previously read and adored a couple of Kayley Loring’s books but in A Very Bossy Christmas, we fell completely and utterly in love with EVERY single word and EVERY single character. Wait until you meet cocky lawyer, Declan Cannavale. Ooooh boy, this grouchy workaholic with the dirty mouth and beautiful heart had us swooning so hard we nearly fell off our chairs. This guy was everything!

“You’ve got a big heart, Declan Cannavale. And I’m going to tell everyone.”
“Then I’m going to have to sue you for defamation of character.”


We cannot stress enough how much fun this book was to read! The way in which Kayley Loring executed this story was spot on. Heart-warming and perfectly spot on! This book all the ingredients to make our hearts laugh and sing – unbelievably sizzling chemistry, hilarious banter between ALL the characters! Declan Cannivale’s Irish/American/Italian family and Maddie Cooper’s Staten Island crew had us in stitches. We couldn’t get enough and can’t remember laughing this hard at certain scenes in quite a while.

You know those books you finish and discuss with your book soulmate, every five seconds its– ‘omg remember this bit….’ Oh and ‘what about this bit’ and you spend your time completely smitten and falling in love all over again with everything you’ve read – you just want to talk about it again and again so all those happy feelings resurface. That’s what Kaley Loring did…she made us HAPPY!

‘Colin Firth can kiss my delicious American ass – I’m as romantic as fuck.’

A boss/employee romance, a fake relationship, Christmas chaos, hot heavy sex, emotional turmoil, family drama (albeit in a very amusing way), loveable characters and the funniest banter you’ll encounter, all added up to one of our favourite reads this year. Nothing beats a really good Christmas romance to get you in the Christmas spirit and Kalyey Loring certainly delivered an immensely enjoyable, steamy, romantic and bloody funny early Christmas pressie! Merry Christmas to us! Maddie, Declan and their clans are responsible for two very big goofy grins and giddy hearts!

“Are you okay? What’s happening to your face”
“It’s smiling, Coop”


On a side note: Fans of Emma Chase will love A Very Bossy Christmas! Declan has those same clueless yet vulnerable qualities we love in an Emma hero. Add this to your reading list! You’ll be glad you did!



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Profile Image for vee.
866 reviews341 followers
January 30, 2022
4ish✨

I raise the coffee mug to sniff it. “What is this?”
“A steaming hot cup of the tears of your former assistants.”
“That’s funny, because it smells like pumpkin spice.”
“That’s hilarious, because it’s a pumpkin spice latte.”
“That’s interesting because I only drink black coffee and espresso. You know that.”
“I thought maybe the pumpkin spice would put you in the holiday spirit.”
“Fuck holiday spirit. Fuck pumpkin spice.”
“Maybe you should. It would probably put you in a better mood…”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Are you trying to get yourself fired, Cooper?”
“Yes, but I’m not expecting a Christmas miracle.”





tropes :

🥢kinda sunshine grumpy
🥢the girl’s in control over this relationship yay
🥢pining for two months
🥢mouthy sassy heroine (bossgirl), and
🥢whipped hero yoohooo
🥢banter (assistant & boss)
🥢hilarious scenes
🥢fake relationship


🐉 appreciation for piper the best 13 yo :

“Sheeeww. Your boss’s butt is perfect!”
“Piper! Shhh!”
“It is! Have you looked at it?”
“No. He’s my boss. Come on, Fifth Avenue is this way.”
“You should check it out. It’s perfect.”
“I doubt it. Should we go to H&M first?”
“You’re right. It’s too flat.”
“It’s not flat!”
“Aha! You have looked at it!”
“Only when it was unavoidable. Stop talking about my boss’s butt.”
“But it’s the best one I’ve ever seen IRL.”
“Don’t say IRL. Say in real life when you’re not texting.”
“WTF are you so grumpy and bossy RN? He’s a hottie with a body. He must do squats all day long.”
“Oh my God—why don’t you watch a Shawn Mendes video on your phone or something to wipe my boss from your memory.”
“Shawn Mendes seems so young to me now. I want to look at grown-man abs. Have you seen Declan with his shirt off? I bet he has abs.”
“Everyone has abs.”
“I want to see Declan’s abs.”
“Stop calling him Declan.”
“But he told me to.”
“We don’t all have to do what he tells us to do. At least I’m paid to do it. And even then, I don’t do everything he tells me to do—because he’s not right about everything.”
“You seem to care an awful lot about him.”
“No I don’t.”
“I would do literally anything he told me to do. I would lick him like a candy cane.”
“Piper.”
“Just sayin’.”




🐉 them

“Oh whatevah, mistah,” she says.
And now I’m more than a little stiff.
“Keep talking like that.”
“Like this? You like it when I tawk about how I spend eight dollahs on a cup of cawffee? You like that?”
“Yeah, baby, I like it a lot.”
“Oh my gawd.” She stops to look me in the face, very serious. “Are you really turned-on right now?”
“My cawk is hawd as a fuckin’ teenage rawk right now.”
“Me too. I mean I’m really turned-on right now too.”


and this scene when they were making out but they were so full after dinner so they ended up just laying down instead like an old couple :


“I’ve been thinking about these tits all night,” he mumbles.
My back is flat against one side of the elevator and my arms are just hanging lifelessly, even though I really want to run my fingers through Declan’s hair and squeeze his butt, and I want to rip his clothes off and lick his abs and kiss him all over, except I can’t lift my hands.
“Mmph” is all I’m able to respond with, and I think that sums it all up.
“This elevator moves too fast,” he grumbles.
“Ugh. Yeah.”
“I’m going to do bad, bad, dirty bad things to you when we get to my room.”
“Mmkay.”
“What’re you gonna do to me?”
“Mmm. Gonna lie down on you.”
“Yeah?”
“And not move for a while.”
“Mmmmm.”
“And close my eyes.”
“Yessss.”



🐉 declan the sweetheart

“Tell me about the tattoo on your arm,” I whisper. “It’s a swallow?”
“Yeah.”
“When’d you get it?”
“College. It was Hannah’s idea.” He moves his arm so I can see the flying bird on the inside of his bicep. “She got one on the back of her neck. So when I put my arm around her shoulder, they were touching. They’d match up.”


🐉 note

this was more of a 3.5 , but then i remembered how this was also the funniest shit i've read in a while, and i stayed up late to read the first 50%, which have not happen in a while
Profile Image for Sarah Louise.
897 reviews498 followers
November 26, 2020
I’ve never read anything from Kayley Loring, but A Very Bossy Christmas was added to the top of my holiday reading list after seeing such great reviews! And oh my—It absolutely delivered.

Declan, a successful real estate lawyer, is a workaholic that can only be tolerated by one assistant: Maddie Cooper. Intelligent, beautiful, and unfazed by the moody, demanding attitude of her boss, Maddie is a fiery heroine that didn’t hold back her mind. The banter between these two was hilarious and oozed sexual tension.

Needing a date for the holiday season to keep his mother content, the two agree upon a fake dating arrangement, complete with a signed agreement that it won’t disturb their working relationship. As their attraction boils over, barriers are crossed and it was such an explosion of built up emotions (and VERY hot!).

Declan, being Irish-Italian, brought a lot of humour in the form of his family. From food comas, velour track pants, and an epic bachelor party filled with drunk apologies, there were so many laugh-out-loud moments. Add in Maddie’s equally comical Staten Island crew, this had such a strong, authentic feel of family and completely gave me those cozy, Christmas vibes.

If you’re looking for a hilarious, steamy delight this holiday season, you need to add this one to your list!
Profile Image for RateTheRomance.
902 reviews120 followers
November 10, 2020
I am having trouble words-ing right now because this book was AMAZING and the hot hate sex has destroyed my panties.

This is my first read by this author and the moment I finished the final page I immediately started a stalking campaign where I follow her everywhere (Online, people. I'm not THAT creepy) and make plans to read every word she has written. THAT'S how much I loved this book.

A VERY BOSSY CHRISTMAS pretty much ticks every box there is. Enemies-To-Lovers, Holiday Romance, Workplace Romance, and Fake Relationship tropes are covered. But there is also grumpy boss turned secretly sweet man, funny texting, embarrassing naked dancing, hilarious family relationships, bad karaoke, holiday meal fat pants, hilarious hate banter, drunken disorderliness, a crazy bachelor party, I could go on and on.

Maddie is the ultimate female lead. She is smart, badass, funny, and handles her grumpy boss like a pro. She is also kind and caring and loves her insane family. And Declan...sheesh...I can't even. He's up there in my Book Boyfriend Top 5. He's smart, demanding, grumpy as hell, hot, generous, and secretly the sweetest. These two have chemistry for days and this book has one of the hottest steamy scenes of all time. It will be burned into my memory for the rest of my days and I will be perving out to it as an old lady, I'm sure.

This book had me snort-laughing over and over again. It's so funny!!! This is one of my favorite books of 2020! Now, go read this while I download every book Kayley Loring has ever written.
Profile Image for Reds Reads.
194 reviews38 followers
October 29, 2020
Every time I think I have a favorite from Kayley Loring she comes out with a new story that immediately takes the top spot as favorite. A Very Bossy Christmas was no exception to this! Once I started this one, I couldn’t put it down.

I absolutely love a good office romance that has a ton of amazing banter and wit, and Declan and Maddie did not disappoint. What do you get when you mix the spit fire of the Irish and Italian together? You get sexy Declan, of course. Declan is a work obsessed lawyer, who knows he’s hot and great at his job. He runs through assistants faster than most people do a loaf of bread, but he knows he’s met his match in Maddie. Maddie is a spitfire herself, and New Yorker to the core. When the only way Declan offers Christmas off, is to pretend to be his girlfriend at big family gatherings, she reluctantly accepts. Watching their consequences of this decision, brings not only a lot of comedy and chemistry, but also forces Declan to face past issues head on, using the last person he expected to help him through it.

As if the chemistry and wit between Declan and Maddie weren’t enough, the side characters were amazing as well. I loved Declan’s family so much, his Nonna reminded me so much of the nonna’s I knew when we lived in Sicily. And I absolutely looooved Declan’s Irish cousin, Nolan. I *need* a Nolan book! I have to know someone tames his wild, Irish ways. Maddies family didn’t disappoint either. Her sister and niece were perfect and this story wouldn’t be what it was without them.

Seriously one of my favorite reads of the year! This is Kayley at her wittiest. This is Kayley at her funniest. This is Kayley at her best! Make sure you add this to your tbr, you won’t want to miss this!

Profile Image for Crystal (Crystalreads2) .
872 reviews806 followers
December 7, 2020



What happens when the two main characters have loud, crazy families? A ton of laughter. Now add on boss /employee fake Relationship with steam, and you have a great holiday book.

I was pleasantly surprised. This is the first book from this author and will not be the last. It’s a great slow burn with a sassy heroine. I was afraid she was going to walked on, but she gave as good as she got.
Profile Image for NMmomof4.
1,587 reviews4,258 followers
December 26, 2023
3 Stars

Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise and the side characters.

The Not-So-Good: The lack of conflict and emotional connection for me as a reader.

The Bad: I wouldn't necessarily say this was "bad," but the fact that the HEA epilogue was right after the conflict was resolved is one of my pet peeves.

Overall: This was a cute, quick read. Nothing too memorable tbh since I even had to remind myself of their names when writing this review (granted I did sleep in between 🤪). I thought it could've had some more conflict and it could've evoked some more emotion, but overall it was enjoyable for what it was!

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Maddie and Declan's story. Maddie works for Declan as his assistant and he basically bribes her to be his fake girlfriend at a few family events in exchange for some much needed time off during the holidays. They decide to work in the opportunity to have a casual fling at the same time with an agreement not to have it affect their working relationship. There are some crazy family members, some cute banter, and some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.

Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Maddie and Declan's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.

Instalove: No, but they definitely already have crushes on each other when this begins.

H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Declan. I liked how he was with the h's niece.

h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Maddie. I appreciated how she didn't allow the H to steamroll her.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed

Push/Pull: Yes

Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: Yes

Possible Triggers: Yes

Closure: This ends with a cute epilogue but I would've liked more closure on page. It felt like they resolved their conflict and then it was done. I would still call this a HEA

Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,212 reviews64 followers
December 6, 2021
This One’s A Winner

I loved everything about this book. It has just the right amount of - everything! Humor, romance, super sex, drama. I’ve tried to pick out my favorite things and short of saying “ALL of it,” I narrowed it down to the amazingly witty dialogue and both their families. I lean a little towards Maddie’s family. I’m sure you’ve read the book description and don’t need me to repeat it but it’s a fake holiday date arrangement between a bossy lawyer and his sassy, sharp-witted assistant. Those never stay fake for long. HEA!!!

It was my first Kayley Loring book but I plan to read them all! If you need just one holiday romance book this season, make it this one
Profile Image for Melanie A..
1,145 reviews468 followers
January 9, 2024
4 solid STARS!

I know, I know. We're well into January and I'm still finishing up my Xmas reads? #shame😂

My only excuse is that I got stuck at 5% and seriously considered DNF'ing - twice. In his first chapter, the H made a few sweeping, misogynistic statements that pissed me off.😒 Perhaps to show character growth by the end . . .

Anyway, I'm so glad I stuck with it. The statements were weirdly contained to their chapter, and Maddie and Declan were a total hoot together. Loved the equal opportunity sarcasm. I laughed out loud quite a few times and the chemistry was scorching. I regret nothing.
Profile Image for Sam (AMNReader).
1,426 reviews305 followers
Read
February 6, 2022
I don't spend a lot of time, or any I guess, reading synopses. It was a little unfortunate here that I very near rage quit - and I guess fortunate I didn't. The story quickly moves away from the workplace, thank god, and Declan as a toxic, demanding (but funny) ew boss, thank goodness. Once it separates, by and large, and doesn't drag it out this is just funny, sexy fun. Declan is a fun hero, and I really loved his POV in this.

But my plea: Can we move romance out of the workplace, the bosses (especially the ones that exploit their salaried employees) and that level of just ew? Because I do not care, and this book could have been successful anyway.
Profile Image for Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen.
1,687 reviews609 followers
November 29, 2020
4.5 Stars

Such a cute read and just what I needed to start off the Christmas season! I loved Maddie's character and the snark she had for Declan! These two were so funny together.

This was so much fun!
Profile Image for Canan  ^^.
919 reviews61 followers
June 21, 2021
Çiftimiz hiç normal değildi. Aileleri ise daha beterdi😂 Bunu da noel hikayesi okurum diye arşivlemiştim ama unutmuşum yine.🙈 Genelde beyazdizerde klasik konu olarak işlenen bir kurgu vardı. Patron-asistan ilişkisi. Ah bir de sahte kız arkadaş kurgusu... İyi yazılmışsa severim böylesini 🤭🤭
Declan şirket içi bir avukat. Birazcık işine aşık. Tamam tamam fazlasıyla işine düşkün. Ama iyi kalpli birisi. 😍 Düşünceli. Hoş Maddie'den önce değiştirdiği yedi asistan ne düşünür orası şaibeli 😂Maddie ise Declan'ın gayet iyi üstesinden gelir. 🤭Laflarını esirgemez. Ama o da işinde iyidir. Belki de bu yüzden iyi anlaşıyorlardır😇
Declan'ın işini çok sevdiğini söylemiştik. Buna noel sürecinde çalışmak da dahil. Eh o çalışıyorsa asistanı da işte olmalıdır. Ama Maddie bir günde olsa izin ister. Ah Maddie adam seni niye kırsın. Tam bir dram queen olan İrlandalı-İtalyan aile baskısı sağ olsun onunda izin yapması şart olur. Sende o etkinliklere Declan ile gittiğin sürece istediğin kadar izin yapabilirsin. Sadece kız arkadaş rolü yapman yeterli 😇Ne kadar da basit 😂😂
Ah keşke o kadar basit olsa... Aralarında cinsel bir çekim var orası ayrı. Ama tek olay o değil. Birbirlerinden gerçekten hoşlanıyorlar. Ama onları geride tutan, mevcut düzeni bozmaktan alıkoyan unsurlar vardır. Yine de bazı şeylere engel olamazlar. Sahte olması gereken şey çok gerçek hissettirmektedir.😍
Ben okurken ciddi anlamda eğlendim. Ana karakterler ve çevresinde ki aile üyeleri bile şahaneydi 🤭 Ya da ne bileyim o kadar uzun zaman oldu ki bir şeyleri keyifle okumayalı gözümde çok büyümüş olabilir 🙈😍
Seri değil sanırım yani Gr de bilgisi yok ama Declan'ın kardeşi Eddie ve Birdie'nin de hikayesi varmış. Onu da okuyayım 🤭
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