It was different but not really my cup of tea.
Love the cover though ;)

This is my first lesbian love story. I found it cute..i enjoyed reading it

A good romance book to pass time with. I wasn't fond of all the details of running a startup. I kept skipping those detailed parts. If startups and finance is your thing, this romance is for you. Overall the romance and drama is your typical lesfic book with interesting characters and backstories.

Great writing style, a book you can settle into very easily. The subject of finance and venture capitalists was actually really interesting and I enjoyed learning about this, it didn’t surprise me that the author works in finance. A good balance between this and the developing relationship. I’ll read from this author again.

Honestly just not my type of book - for some reason, this was marketed to me as a YA contemporary romance, and it's not. Absolutely my fault for not checking hard enough.

I was happy to get this book because it was one of my most anticipated releases for this year. It was so good! I loved the beginning, it started really quick, the story started really quick. I love stories where the characters go on vacation and the first part of the book is like this. Both of our main characters meet there, some mistaken identity happens, and they like each other. When Kade disappears the day after, Jenn thinks that's it. Surprise surprise when she encounters Kade again and now she is her mentor/boss.

It was a very entertaining book, and I liked it! It's a good book and I recommend everyone to pick it up. I love office romances and I actually love Kade a lot. I love her style and how boss she was. I love female characters that are The Boss and she is ALSO A MILLIONAIRE!!! It's just perfect.

Officially 3.5 stars - This novel begins hot out of the gate when Kade and Jen meet at a business conference in Hawaii. The author manages to deftly narrate sizzling chemistry that's insanely erotic, but Kade decides to prevent further communication by disappearing before the conference ends. They are both shocked and moved in the wake of their unexpected and passionate shared connection. When they are abruptly thrown back together that shared connection is reignited but with obstacles neither expected nor are prepared to ascertain in the face of a major conflict of interest, business and personal aside. Flashes of that insanely erotic connection reappear, but are tempered with internal dialogues of either Kade or Jen questioning themselves that tend to drone on a bit. Also, from time to time, it seemed the author forgot this was a romance rather than a business textbook. Kade and Jen had a fantastic supporting cast that charmed me as much as them. This was a satisfying romance overall.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38722196-it-s-not-a-date" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="It’s Not a Date" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521063735m/38722196.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38722196-it-s-not-a-date">It’s Not a Date</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7036734.Heather_Blackmore">Heather Blackmore</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2330948429">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
An ARC rec'd from NetGalley/Bold Stroked Books for an honest review. <br />A smooth sexy romance with main characters Kade and Jen and set in the dry, cut-throat world of venture capitalism. Both leads were nicely fleshed out with plausible family scenarios deftly handled. Ms. Blackmore has managed to make the tough arena of Finance romantic and interesting. A very enjoyable read. 4 stars.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/31134832-gail">View all my reviews</a>

This book is soooo much better than her other ones! I think Heather Blackmore has really developed into a great author with this addition to her collection. The characters were fleshed out with wonderful backstories that made them who they are up to the point of Jen and Kate meeting. Then, through their interactions with each other, they grew into new and even more wonderful people. On an even more positive note, their conversations flowed so well and held such a unique tone that I could easily hear them flirting in my head.

If I end a book with the thought that I couldn't imagine those two characters ever not being together, then the author has succeeded in the chemistry portion. Kudos with this one!

Entrepreneur Kadrienne Davenport is used to getting results in work. She also can’t stand tardiness. It’s well known that if you’re late you won’t be working with her. Jennifer Spencer has a company she has worked hard trying to make it a success but she needs investors to help her dream come true. She has a hard time arriving on time. Having met a year ago Jen and Kade have a beautiful day together never expecting to meet again. The problem is can they work together? Great read.

"It's not a date" was fun and entertaining. This is my 2nd book by this author and I enjoyed both. I like that the story arch was not typical (ups and downs throughout) and that the characters showed good angst from beginning to end! This was a solid story and I would be interested in what comes next for this author.

Sweet workplace romance

This is the first book I've read by Heather Blackmore and I really enjoyed her writing style. The Jenn and Kade were well developed and beliavable and the secondary characters, especially Holly added additional depth to the story. I thought Jenn and Kade had chemistry from the very beginning. I liked how they each had something to learn from one another. For me, the heart of the story was Kade's personal growth. I loved how the end wrapped up not only Jenn and Kade's HEA but the lives of their family and friends.

I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

Oh, this was just lovely. I was expecting just another workplace romance – which I love, by the way – but this was so much more. Besides the sweet romance, it’s about friends, family, and forgiveness.

“I worry about you. Too much perk. It’s unhealthy.”


There’s a lot to unpack in this book about women’s roles and “women’s work.” Jen is optimistic and sunny, and she founded her startup company after she struggled to find reliable caregivers for her Nana. Her parents are on the east coast taking care of her other set of grandparents, so her Nana’s care falls solely on her – and caregiving is, of course, traditionally women’s work. Jen is a naturally nurturing person, and that extends from her Nana to her employees, and her treatment of them leads to extraordinary loyalty. On the opposite side, Kade’s already founded two companies and is now a partner at a venture capital firm, but all of her leadership traits come from her father, a meticulous, detail-oriented man – whom she despises. She’s obsessed with sticking to her schedule, and is firmly career-oriented, to the point of having a boardroom, complete with whiteboards and projectors, set up at her house. Kade’s proof that women can be successful in the men’s club world of tech – if they’re willing to give up any chance of work/life balance and work twice as hard as a man. She most certainly doesn’t have time for dating or a relationship! Once Jen finds out who Kade is, she realizes this as well. Kade may have blazed a trail for women in tech, but she’s also set a precedent that it can only be accomplished by a laser focus on your career while dismissing everything else in life, making women like Jen – who are trying to find a work/life balance that actually allows them to have a life – look uncommitted and unprofessional. Of course, this doesn’t come without consequences to Kade, as well. She’s been damaged by past events, weighed down by guilt and pain, and despite the proof of her success, suffers from an extreme lack of self-worth. When Jen hesitates to ask Kade for advice because she doesn’t want her to think that she’s just using her for her experience, Kade doesn’t understand, because she thinks that’s pretty much all she’s good for.

The chemistry between Jen and Kade was seriously intense, and their relationship itself was just so adorably sweet. They’re both workaholics, to a greater or lesser extent, so their idea of relaxation is takeout or maybe going on a picnic. And, like every good relationship, the sum of them together is more than the parts. Kade supports Jen and her business ventures, sometimes with her years of experience, and sometimes just letting her vent without jumping in to offer advice. Jen’s positivity rubs off on Kade, making her question some of her long held assumptions about herself and the past. Of course, since this is a romance novel, there has to be a major conflict to overcome – and this one was a doozy. I was impressed, however, with both how Ms. Blackmore showed how hurtful the conflict was to both characters, and how they both managed to rise above it.

“How are you not married?” she said as she poured coffee.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
Kade chuckled and grabbed the milk. Before adding a splash, she ticked off reasons, extending her thumb and fingers as she listed each. “Easy. Workaholic. Can’t cook. OCD about being on time. Intimidating. Inflexible. For starters.”
Jen took up the task and started counting. “How about helpful, sharp, insightful, sweet, and funny?”
Kade eyed her skeptically as she returned the carton to the fridge. “Sure, if we’ve moved on to you.”
“You’re very frustrating.”
“See? Another one. Add it to the list. Stubborn, too, while you’re at it.”


Kade had a lot of emotional baggage, and a lot of ground to cover, in terms of reworking 20+ years of harmful thought patterns, so there’s quite a bit dealing with her past and how’s it affected her life to this point and sabotaged her relationship with Jen. While understanding this, it did feel like the book slowed down a bit with all the internal problems that Kade was trying to sort out. Some people may also think it focuses too much on the businesses, but I really enjoyed all the startup talk. Unlike previous books I’ve read, I was impressed with how much this got right – from the company name changes, to the long work weeks, to the crazy late night PowerPoint second-guessing. So, I wasn’t surprised when I read Ms. Blackmore’s bio and saw that she works with startups in the Bay Area.

“In all these years, time—the keeper she’d so meticulously respected—had not healed the wounds. She needed to try something new.”


Overall, this was such a meaningful book, from the struggles of women in tech, to dealing with unresolved guilt, to balancing a relationship with work. Highly recommended, and I’ll definitely be looking for more of Ms. Blackmore’s work!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Not exactly what I thought it would be, but the story kept me intrigued enough throughout.

Oh, I really enjoyed this book! It is a typical romance from beginning to end, with a gradual growth of the relationship between the two women, who meet in a casual way and then develop a somewhat complicated relationship, both for their personal and professional circumstances, but the author has I managed to create some really moving and romantic situations, very much to my liking, since I am a sucker for sugary steamy hot romances. 

Jen's character is charming. She has an optimistic and easy way to face life, her situations and problems, without hesitating or sinking when things are not as she would like.

The character of Kade is damagged  by the circumstances of her childhood and adolescence. She does not consider herself worthwhile, but everyone around her sees the positive in her.

In addition to the relationship between the two protagonists, the book deals with the issue of caring for sick family members and does it in a very real and credible way, complementing very well with the rest of the story.

So I strongly recommend reading this book. Very much indeed.

ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review

3.75 Stars. This was a good read. I can easily say this is my favorite book by Blackmore. The writing was really well done in places and the chemistry between the two mains was off the charts. I think romance fans will enjoy this read.

The two main characters are Jennifer and Kade. Jenn is a hard worker but very positive, carefree, and loving. Kade is a multimillionaire that has been raised to respect time and schedules. Work is what is most important to her and dating is not even in the picture. The chemistry when these two meet is almost tangible, is there any way possible for two such opposites to make it work together?

A few other reviews have already mentioned this, but this book has a great beginning and ending. When the two characters first meet the attraction is instant, but something deeper happens too. The ending was one of those romantic HEA endings you could almost swoon for. I was impressed how Blackmore wrote both and it just made the book even more special.

This book does have a lot of business talk. Jenn is starting a new company and one of Kade’s jobs is to get new companies off the ground. I didn’t find it boring at all. I’m the kind of person that will watch Shark Tank on occasion. If you can understand that show, this book will not be an issue.

The romance is really well done. The realistic feelings, the dialogue, the chemistry and steamy sex scenes were all great. This is one of the better opposites attract stories because the two characters really balance each other out.

The only real issue I had, I felt the book could have used a few less pages. There were a few times, especially with the character Kade, that there was too much inner dialogue. Kade had a lot of issues to get through, I get it and I think it was done realistically. The problem was it slowed down the flow a little. I found myself yelling “get your stuff together and get moving on.” A few of those inner monologues just became too repetitive. I think if the book was just tightened up a little, maybe 10-20 pages less, it would have been 4 stars plus.

Overall this was an enjoyable romance. I hope Blackmore can keep putting out stories like this. I really connected with her writing in this book. I think romance fans will be happy with this one.

I rather enjoyed this story. I, for one, prefer my love scenes on a less descriptive side and this fit the bill.

This book's title and blurb were a bit misleading for me, I expected a lighter read. 'It's not a date' takes entrepreneur Kade Davenport on a deep soul searching journey looking for self redemption. Kade is a woman of great contradictions: professionally successful, widely recognised in her field, but personally inmature and insecure as a child. In a rare work-free day, Kade meets lovely Jen, a startup entrepreneur with a heart as big as her work ethic. Sparks fly but when they are both back home, eventually Kade finds herself as Jen's boss. Will Kade be able to help Jen professionally and at the same time let Jen into her life?

The author works in finance for technology startup companies so she knows what she's writing about. The plot touches the problems of gender inequality in the workplace in addition to the challenges of elderly care, dementia and conflicted relationships. Her characters are multilayered in their virtues and flaws. The main characters' chemistry is believable and the intimate scenes are well written. Her depiction of Jen's grandmother, suffering an early stage of dementia is accurate and sometimes heartbreaking. UK readers might get distracted by a secondary character's name, "Jeremy Corbin" too similar to the current Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. I'm not sure if the name choice was intentional.

Overall, a very enjoyable read that touches some difficult issues with tact. 4 stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com

Jen and Kade meet at a conference in Maui and they share a magical day together. A year later, back in the real world, Kade unexpectedly is put in charge of overseeing Jen's company. Jen is fighting hard to get her startup off the ground, but she doesn't expect the Kade sized speed-bump life throws her way. Kade doesn't always see eye to eye with the way Jen does her business. Jen struggles to gain control of her work life, all the while falling head over heels for Kade in her personal life. Kade doesn't have time to date, but she finds herself unable to resist her attraction and general desire to be around Jen all the time.

This was a really sweet book. I think the first half may have been closer to 4 stars but the second half was easily a five star book. I finished the book with a huge smile on my face. The ending was one of the most romantic things ever. A total showstopper! As the book went on the characters really evolved into these unique and dimensional individuals. Kade especially, she evolved from this closed off person to someone with deep emotions and intricacies that really let me get involved in the story and invested in her character. I really enjoyed the side-story with Kade and her father. I think it brought so much to Kade's character and to her motivations. She was really fascinating in the end, and I actually found Jen's character the weaker of the two. Holly was just lovely and Jen's grandmother was a dear.

The chemistry between Jen and Kade was off the charts. It was this tangible thing from the first second they met. The chemistry turned into this perfect romance that stole my heart!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think I was supposed to like the characters in this book, and I think that I failed horribly at that.

It's the story of Kade and Jen. Kade is a successful businesswoman and Venture Capitalist (sorta?). Jen has a small company that she's trying to get off the ground that has to do with Home Care for the elderly.

But, they first meet in Maui at a conference and spend an amazing day together. Unfortunately a year later Kade basically becomes Jen's boss.

They like each other, but, aside from the sorta boss/emplyee thing they have going, they're also Kade's baggage that they have to get through, and it's the whole set for sure. In addition to family baggage, there's also Kade's internal struggles and friend baggage too.

The plot was okay, but, my biggest problem was with the characters. They almost all seemed sorta disjointed. I could never really get in their heads. With the two main characters Jen was just too perfect, and Kade too broken, for me to care. And then there was Holly, Kade's assistant. I know I was supposed to think how she acted was cute or whatever, but, instead I never liked her, despite her part in Kade's story.

I just generally didn't like this book. Usually a novel may start rocky for me, and then slowly get better. But this one on the other hand sorta went the other way. Started awesome, and then slowly... well, turned not as awesome.

I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Bold Strokes Books.