The Contract (The Contract Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

"Meh" about sums this up. Two stars. It would have been three for the concept, but the execution (at least for the last 33 or so percent), is really only worth one star.*****Minimal spoilers in 2nd paragraph below. MAJOR SPOILERS in the third paragraph.*****In all honesty, I was looking for a quick mindless read when I chose this from my list of recommended books on Amazon. This book was predictable - by no means was it deep or thought provoking, so this is sort of what I got; I was happy at first. The Kindle version came with very few grammatical errors and typos - a plus. There were some tense issues that were bothersome, but not too terrible, so I kept reading.***Minor Spoilers below***And then... the awkwardness started to set in around 67%. It crept up on me slowly, so that I honestly didn't see it coming. And I kept reading, shaking off phrases such as "her breath like gusts of pure life filling my lungs", tongues being described as "velvet", and a woman being compared to dairy products ("she was like cream - fluid and sweet, wrapping around me..."). Awkward phrases were thrown in left and right, such as "I feasted on her taste" (um, what?) and that a climax "flickered" (that sounds like a personal problem to me!). Then there were other phrases that simply sounded way to immature to be taken seriously - e.g., "the force of my pleasure rocked my world" and "tasted her sweetness". Completely unnecessary literary devices being used solely for the sake of using a literary device does not equate to great writing... especially if those phrases are awkward and weird!***MAJOR SPOILERS***It all went down hill from there. There were flow issues that made me think the author was rushing to finish, yet other parts were drawn out unnecessarily. The book could have easily ended **SPOILER ALERT** after he found Katy, but it dragged on and on and on and on... and on, unnecessarily. I think I ended up skimming the last 20% of the book because I was so tired of all the nonsense, but wanted to see if anything else happened. Too many times the author told us what to think instead of illustrating it through her characters' interactions. And sometimes the "telling" didn't even make sense - e.g., Richard says he will "fight" for Katy, then two lines later says he's leaving? Ooookaaaaay. Some of the characters' growth made sense, other parts did not. Richard was wholly aware of his childhood trauma and how it affected him, yet the fact he was cognizant of these things did nothing to change him. This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever from a psychological perspective.... and IMO cheapens the character's road to self-discovery (and personal growth). The author was lacking on her research in this area... as in a few others (e.g., how a will is handled, etc.).Like I said, I was happy with this read at first... but once it started going downhill, it never recovered. Disappointed, because this concept could have made for a quick, fun read.

Where to start? I hated Richard. He was vien, rude, and somewhat abusive. He made fun of Katy, belittled her, mocked her, in so many words called her ugly. It was horrid. I thought how could this man possibly redeem himself? Well he did. It was a slow burn, but he did.Its told mostly from his POV, which I liked. It probably should have ended at the 80% mark with an epilogue, but I enjoyed the last few chapters. Some people apparently didn't, but some people also complain that novels end too abruptly, so you can't win them all.This story gave me the feels. At the peak point I was fighting back tears. I read a lot A LOT of romance novels, some have pulled at my heartstrings, but none have brought tears. The only time I have cried during a book was when Dobby died. If that tells you anything.This isn't a rom com. This isn't filled with sex scenes, although there are some. Its a story that pulls you in and makes you feel the growing love between two very broken people. A must read for romance fans.

I'm ashamed to say that I've had this book in my Kindle for 2 years and it's been on my TBR list for that long as well and I'm so angry that I just now got around to reading it (and The Baby Clause) because it exceeded my expectations. Oh wow, I knew Richard's story would be a good one, but it was a great one! After being introduced to him in the Vested Interest Series, I kept telling myself I had to read his story and what a story it is. This author has a way of pulling into her character's lives so much that you don't ever want to say goodbye to them. As much as I wanted to finish Richard & Katy's story, I also didn't want it to end like everything I've read of Melanie's. I adored Katy's character so much because I love a woman with a backbone with her own opinions and of course, I love a woman who can bring a man to his knees as grouchy and mean as Richard. This author certainly knows how to write strong, feisty female leads! And seeing Richard change throughout their journey was emotional, inspirational and gave me all the "feels" I've come to expect from this author. If you happen to have this on your TBR list like I did, go and read it now! You won't be sorry -- another 10+ star read!

I’ve had this book on my TBR list for a long time. I admit, I was afraid because of the reviews of how of an D*ck Richard was.I wish I’ve read it sooner and I could kick myself.This book is AMAZING!! Love it so much.Ok, its true. I wanted to kick Richard a lot of times. But as I read his story, I understood why he was like that.It was beautiful to see him slowly fall in love with Katy.Katharine is a strong heroine. She needs that job and takes everything Richard throws at her. She does her job perfectly and that is what Richard hates of her.But Richard has a proposal for her. He wants revenge from his boss after being passed over for as promotion as partner.He needs a fake fiancé and Katharine is perfect for that role.Love everything in this book. The slow building was beautiful.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ STARS!!

I wish I hadn't waited so long to read this book as I absolutely loved it!"She's [f...] perfection. I couldn't stand her."Richard VanRyan is a tyrant. He's emotionally dead or, at the very least, emotionally stunted. A man known for his blunt, almost cruel, tongue, and his ambitious, ruthless streak. His reputation preceded him. When he finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place, an almost unpalatable solution is suggested to him. However, he is desperate enough to consider it because it's a pretty genius answer to his dilemma."I hated being a PA. I especially hated being a PA for Mr VanRyan. I had never known anyone so cruel."Katharine Elliott despises her job but she goes about it with dignity and no small amount of stoicism. She's in desperate need of the money and can't afford to be without it. When her hateful boss presents her with a new role, the lure of what the money would mean to her pushes her to accept it - against her better judgement."You aren't despicable. I think you're lost. You haven't let yourself feel."As they work together to build a convincing facade to present to the world, their dynamics start to change little by little. Katharine's kind ways slowly break Richard's demeanour down, and for the first time in years, he begins to experience feelings that are alien to him, and he doesn't quite know what to make of them."I used every bit of frustration she made me feel to punish her into silence. Except it didn't feel like punishment. It felt like pleasure. Hot, pulsating pleasure."God, this book really sucked me in! I love an enemies-to-lovers story - throw in a fake relationship, and I'm in heaven! The one thing I wasn't prepared for though was how emotional it was, which had me reaching for the tissues.Richard was SUCH a nasty jerk! He lacked empathy and manners. He and Katharine couldn't have been more opposite in character. She was kind, giving and thoughtful. The way he treated her was truly terrible. However, when she showed him that she had bite to her character, I really loved that he liked that about her and was actually quite charmed by her. The change in their dynamic was fascinating to follow. Richard was a really hard nut to crack and Katharine somehow managed to chip through his shell to the man beneath. We caught glimpses of a more genuine and flirtatious man beneath the surface. Richard's journey throughout the story was amazing to witness and I absolutely loved how the story concluded.Humorous, tension-filled, and emotional. Thoroughly recommend!

Richard, the boss from hell, is hateful to Katherine and treats her with contempt. Eventually they are compelled to form an alliance, hence The Contract.Up to half way through I felt this was a potential 4 star read then Richard was transformed, not just into a better version of Richard, into a different personality. Likewise Katherine who we had come to understand was, under her meek exterior, a strong and determined woman became boring and lifeless.The last 5th was unbearably sweet and sentimental.

This was a fantastic read. I couldn't put it down from the first page. This is a book about Richard, a not so nice guy that after been overlooked for a promotion he decides to go work to the company's rival. The only problem? They are a family run business and they have already heard about his ruthlessness and playboys ways! His only chance? Is to show them he is a change man and for that he is going to need his PA help. Ahrrr! The problem? They dislike each other. The only reason Katherine hasn't resign and dump Richard's sorry ass into chaos is because she needs the pay check to take care of her aunty. Kathy is a very strong h and I so love when she puts Richard in his place forcing him to bite his tongue and not retaliate verbally because he needs her. Kkkkk . Trully a entertaining read and I urge you to give this book a chance. Highly recommended.Ps: I am off to read Richard and Katharine's life after HEA in The baby clause.

This is an amazing book. I was hooked from page 1. At first I hated Richard, but as you got to know him and know about his past you see a different side to him. Then enter Katy Richard's assistant, I felt sorry for her to have to work for him, but when Richard asks her to get involved in his plan she has no idea what she is letting her self into. Richard's plan is working, but things start to take affect when he see's a side of Katy he has never known of, He starts to have feelings for her and the same with her. But neither of them are going to show their feelings to each other. This contract they are under starts to get longer every day. And when Katy's past catches up with her, Richard see's this amazing woman who can offer a lot more. This love story has twist's and turns that make this story what it is. An amazing story of love, hurt and pain, But when it all comes down to it, these two people find love for each other through talking and getting to know each other. This story grabs hold of you from the start right till the end. I can not get enough of this amazing story. I can not put it down. I am going to read it again.

Richard VanRyan is the most arrogant, selfish and nastiest person not to mention a serial playboy but that's what his long-suffering PA Katy will tell you.Richard has it all a great paying job and playboy lifestyle but when Richard is passed over for making partner he plots revenge and leaves to go work for a company owned by a man that his current boss despises. The only problem is the New Company is very family orientated and will not hire anyone like playboy Richard.So Richard forms the perfect plan, hire someone to act as his loving fiancée until he can prove himself to his new boss and what perfect person to hire, his poor long-suffering PA Katy. Can these two put aside their hatred for one another to pull it off and can they be prepared for what will happen the longer they spend together.A story of Love, Loss and the hope that real love exists when the right person is standing in front of you. A Good Storyline with the feel good factor and full of romance with a side order of smokin hot millionaire!!