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Hard Boss

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I'm as hard as they come. No one can unravel me. And then SHE came along...
Lucy was supposed to be like every other assistant out there—quiet, skilled at predicting my needs, and definitely not a walking distraction. How can she make it so hard to focus on my work? I hate it.
And I hate how much I want her.
Worse, no matter how I try to scare her off with my crisp attitude, she stands up to me. Her backbone is turning me on as much as catching her bending over the desk, skirt stretched over her thighs.
Dammit.
She shouldn't get close to me. No one should.
So why am I taking her to dinner?
And why am I tying her down to my bed, making her shiver and moan?
Lucy might ruin what's left of my heart...
Unless I ruin her first.

Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2017

156 people are currently reading
590 people want to read

About the author

Luke Steel

13 books271 followers

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5 stars
311 (35%)
4 stars
273 (31%)
3 stars
202 (23%)
2 stars
63 (7%)
1 star
19 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Olga therebelreader.
894 reviews767 followers
February 6, 2017
In this story we have the handsome, charming, powerful, and dominating Dominic Breson. Lucy Warner is Dominic’s new PA. She’s beautiful, smart and sexy. A woman who he is having a hard time keeping his eyes off of... When they get together, sparks fly and they bring out each other’s deepest, darkest desires. But, can they find love within the inferno that burns between them?

I loved the intimacy development between Dominic and Lucy. I thought it was perfect and believable. The sex scenes were gloriously explicit and got my heart rate going faster than if I had just been for a run!

My only quibble with the book is that I felt like it was lacking any serious conflict to spur it along. I think the office romance taboo resolved a little too easily… A small gripe, which really didn't hamper my enjoyment, but which if present probably would have knocked this up a notch to a 5 star read for me.

Overall, Hard Boss was absolutely wonderful. I couldn't put it down. I was hooked since the beginning. A great debut by an author with loads of talent!!


In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 4/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 5/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 3/5 | Darkness 0/5 | Humor 3/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 4/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 3/5


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Profile Image for Janie.
873 reviews81 followers
February 7, 2017
3.5 stars. This was a cute debut novella. The only thing I didn't quite understand was why when they worked through their issues she couldn't still work with him. The reason she couldn't at first was because of his hot and cold act but then that was worked out so it just seemed odd to me. But I will definitely try more by this author in the future.
Profile Image for Alp.
763 reviews467 followers
February 17, 2017
It’s time to call it a day. DNF @46%

I had no problem with this same old trope—a boss and employee romance, but what bugged me the most about this book was the heroine, Lucy. I didn't like her at all. I genuinely don't understand what Dominic saw in her. As far as I can see, she was a bitchy and hollow person.

I'm sorry, but this short story was not for me.
Profile Image for Mou:  Fae of Heartfelt ARC.
587 reviews127 followers
August 9, 2017
#BossAssistantRomance
It was not bad but not that Good either. Dominic was trying being an Ass to Lucy cause she was a distraction in the work. Well, I feel Dominic was a little bit cold and detached from everything where Lucy was an Ok Character.
Profile Image for Sophie.
590 reviews479 followers
February 7, 2017
Okay! LISTEN UP! First of all I must discuss this cover! Because OMG....THIS FREAKING COVER....



I mean, HOLY HOT ABS! THOSE HANDS! THAT WATCH! *shivers* If that doesn't draw you to think book then, well, I don't know what will? Oh... wait, maybe I do.
Yep here's another reason….

THIS BOOK IS EFFIN’ FANTASTIC!

Hard Boss is a sexy, quick, dirty read that just took my breath away. Now, I'm not usually one for posting five star reviews on ‘shorter’ books. Why? I like my books with more meat in them, but this?
Well this had meat, it had grit, it had a rawness, it had intensity, it had heart and it well and truly worked it's way into mine. Luke Steel, where have you been? Hard Boss is an fantastic debut!

From start to finish I swooned over Dominic and I must admit I got really hot for Dominic. I ADORED Lucy! She too was crazy hot. If high-fiving a character was a possibility, I'd high-five her! From their initial meet to their end they sizzled and popped with an intense, fiery connection. And despite the length of Hard Boss I never once felt rushed or disconnected, from the story or them. And had it been longer, I'd have loved it even more!

Hard Boss is a dirty, delicious read. It's HOT **fans self** and heartwarming. It's passion and love. It's everything, wrapped up in a mouth watering package. I loved it. Luke Steel...WRITE MORE. I NEED MORE!
Profile Image for Jessica.
288 reviews5 followers
March 3, 2017
Wonderfuk

What an amazing book!! A light and fun read. So sweet and a great read. Can't wait to read more of (the author's) books!!!
Profile Image for SusanAhh.
486 reviews128 followers
March 18, 2017
"And now everything’s a mess. A hot, sexy, agony-and-ecstasy kind of mess." - Lucy

Ahhhh....the billionaire male writer who knows of what he writes. Makes the book practically irresistible for the erotic romance reader to pass up a chance to read of his adventures and stories. It is like adding a super sexy romantic fantasy wrapped up in the fantasy that some or even all of what we are reading may be real and autobiographical from this writer who calls himself Luke Steel. Well, I am as fun loving as the next girl and if this is indeed a male writing and a billionaire to boot, then God Bless America and slap me silly, there is hope left in the world if a super sexy, gorgeous man of experience and means can be such a practiced, creative, patient lover who gets excited by the different sounds he can elicit from an accomplished, former military, beautiful woman who is not a socialite or famous anything.
And so it is with our romantic hero, Dominic...he finds himself inexplicably drawn to his new administrative assistant, Lucy. She is the above described woman with the "spine of steel" and even that is a "turn on" to Dominic. He likes her around. He likes to talk to her. Oooh and he loves to do things to her that when described makes the reader weak in the knees and creates other symptomaology similar to having stood too close to the sun - achingly hot and burning all over.
Of course Dominic's past experience with women color this brand new fresh thing he has with Lucy but being afraid or cautious in matters of the heart from previous experiences is only too human. Difficulty in verbalizing just what may be going on with him also creates doubt and a pulling back of Lucy's affections for Dominic.
It is in this mess, a surprise element of clarity is revealed and well...I will leave you to enjoy "la fin".
I must say the writing is quite good. The story follows an understandable arc. There are some smiles and this author is unique in his description. The characters are recognizable and fleshed out. It is deliciously hot and worth a one-click for an afternoon or evening's entertainment. Oh...and you just might find yourself rereading it or at least certain passages from time to time. The gift that just keeps on giving.
Profile Image for ME.
574 reviews
February 6, 2017
I voluntarily read an ARC and I am SO glad I did!!! Luke Steel's writing style is fluid and seamless even for a quick, short read!!! This book brings a 5-star hotness that I just couldn't put down!! Dominic and Lucy are one of my new favorite couples!! People will want to grab this one when it hits the digital world!!
Profile Image for Jamie  Leigh.
6,567 reviews29 followers
February 19, 2017
Good read

This book is typical about the boss & his assistant. It's well written with interesting characters but nothing stands out about it to make it memorable.
Profile Image for Christina.
1,452 reviews100 followers
February 10, 2017
Quick recap: Lucy gets a job working as the executive assistant to Dominic, head of the family business, that just happens to be very successful financially. There is some back and forth between the two until finally they give in to their sexual attraction. Then they have a lot of sex, and more sex, then some more. But, it makes things awkward in the office so they need to figure out how to make it work, or if there is just too much of conflict of interest.

Unfortunately, the book has pretty much all of clichés seen in erotica/romance: lip biting, blushing, climax on demand, twitching c---s and predictability. There really isn’t a whole lot of depth, either in the story or the characters. There is a lot of sex, but very little plot. The book was well written, there were a few editorial errors, but it was enjoyable. For those looking for a fast, sexy read, this would fit the bill, it just didn’t stand out from all of the others of its type.
109 reviews8 followers
February 10, 2017
Blurb:
I'm as hard as they come. No one can unravel me. And then SHE came along...
Lucy was supposed to be like every other assistant out there—quiet, skilled at predicting my needs, and definitely not a walking distraction. How can she make it so hard to focus on my work? I hate it.
And I hate how much I want her.
Worse, no matter how I try to scare her off with my crisp attitude, she stands up to me. Her backbone is turning me on as much as catching her bending over the desk, skirt stretched over her thighs.
Dammit.
She shouldn't get close to me. No one should.
So why am I taking her to dinner?
And why am I tying her down to my bed, making her shiver and moan?
Lucy might ruin what's left of my heart...
Unless I ruin her first.

Review:
My first book Luke Steel, where has this author been? I really likes Dominic`s and Lucy`s story. Dominic`s assistant retires and leaves him with a great assistant named Lucy.
Dominic is known as a great boss, kind hearted and generous. But to Lucy he is rude and mean. Unbeknown to each other the are attracted to one another and one evening after a meeting it comes to a passionate blow. Hawt!!
That weekend something happens and the next week Lucy is confused. It`s like Dominic has two sides, but Luke explains it so well. I get my HEA at the end and a lot of smexy bits . You know I love my smexy bits.

What I liked:
An Alpha male that is not a manwhore and an h that doesn`t get scared easily.

What I didn`t like:
Nothing really, it was a sweet read with very little drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for A HEA.
443 reviews53 followers
March 28, 2018


"Why would I be upset, Dominic? I just had sex with my boss on his desk last night. Which, I might add, didn't even merit a phone call from you the next day. And then you show up on my night off with another woman on your arm. None of those things would merit upset on my part, certainly..."

If you are after a quick hot read this one is for you.
Profile Image for Heather Barton.
65 reviews
February 3, 2017
Loved it

Loved this book...Can't wait for more from this author. Aunt Cece is my favorite. Lust to love at its finest
Profile Image for Gabriela M.
541 reviews4 followers
December 14, 2017
Shallow. Flat.
It's a cute story, apparently evolving around sex. We know a little about Dominic but we know nothing about Lucy.
Really short emotions, character and personality.
Profile Image for Chris Switzer.
12 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2017
Dominic's is a CEO and his secretary is retiring. Lucy is the new secretary. They are attracted to each other but he is gun shy due to a past relationship. He is hot and cold and she is not sure what to think of him. Then they get close and he pulls away. This is a sexy love story. Luke is an amazing Author. I love the male POV. A must read Author!
Profile Image for Nicole Sullivan.
358 reviews10 followers
July 26, 2017
After devouring Hungry Boss by Luke Steel I needed more! This story is also in an office setting. We have Lucy, the fairly quiet, but determined secretary and Dominic, the overbearing boss with all the inappropriate feelings towards his Lucy. This story was fun, sweet and again, hit the characters out of the park. I'm definitely enjoying how this writer makes the most of the pages, giving life to these characters. It's very easy to read, and very easily addictive. Luke Steel is my new favorite go-to author for short, sexy reads.
Profile Image for Kinisha.
429 reviews
March 6, 2017
Good....

Not as easy to read as the others but still very well written. Office romances are tricky and complicated especially when the protagonist tries to fight the inevitable. Strong female lead but I feel she was a contradiction onto herself. I will continue to read all of your work!
Profile Image for Ann.
1,938 reviews32 followers
March 12, 2017
I volunteered to read an ARC for an honest review for the author - This is Luke Steel's first book and I was very delighted by the writing style and flow. The premise of the book is a hard to like, let a lone love boss who has a hard time keeping assistants. Dominic and Lucy soon find they need physical contact and quick. They have a more physical relationship which suits them fine. This book has lots of steamy scenes quickly at the beginning and continues throughout. This is one panty melting love story.
Profile Image for Jess.
1,075 reviews
Want to read
May 9, 2017
Loved this story!
Profile Image for Gracie.
209 reviews
February 11, 2017
Short, Sweet, and Hotter than Hades!

Dominic and Lucy.
Dominic's long time assistant retired, and Lucy was hired to take over the role. Sparks fly from their first meeting, and soon after things are really heating up at the office.
This book was enough to steam up my glasses!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews

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