First, I want to thank Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for giving me the chance to read The Mogul Meets Her Match by Julia Underwood. I really enjoyed reading this story. It follows Abby, who is a successful cafe owner, but more than that, she gives back to her community. And then there is Claire, she owns and is CEO of Lotus Enterprises, and her company needs to purchase Abby's cafe in order to start working on their new IT project. There is a one-eyed dog named Boomer who steals any of the scenes he is in. I give this story 3 stars and definitely recommend if you enjoy reading "Ice Queens" with a warm heart stories.

Cute story with romance, high finance wheeling and dealing, sad childhood declarations and new beginnings. The dialogue is natural and fun. The 2 main characters are interesting, along with a cast of very supportive family and friends. There is one sex scene, which is fine, but it was not very hot due to all the conversation and jokes before, during and after. The kissing in the first half was hotter.
Overall cute story.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

This story has two very different protagonists. Claire is a successful, arrogant, and unscrupulous businesswoman who's set on buying the property where Abby's cafe is located. Since Abby hasn't accepted any of her offers, Claire decides to go in person to check out the place. She never expected the impact Abby would have on her.

Abby doesn't live to work. She's totally content with her morning-only business, her volunteer work, and her little family. She doesn't want or need anything more, which is why she's not paying attention to the offers coming in to buy her business.

But all those differences aren't going to stop Abby and Claire from getting to know each other and starting a relationship that, despite being unexpected, has been anything but boring.

Intriguing romance!

Claire is at the top of her game and as CEO facing her biggest challenge yet in owning an entire city block. She’s worked hard to get to where she is and has known poverty, so when Abby, the last business owner on the block refuses to sell, Claire goes undercover.

I had a lot of fun reading this story. Claire on the surface definitely appeared to be the ultimate ruthless ice queen of business, and she had the ultimate office pet to prove it! (Honestly it was terrifying, but despite my personal preferences to the type of pet, I have to share it was a genius idea on Julia’s part to include in the story). I just adored how Claire was taken by surprise when she met Abby, because that woman was ready to challenge her in more ways than one, and despite an attraction they shared, Claire was definitely threatened. All she knew was being tested and yet she couldn’t throw her authority about to make things happen, so I admired how well she handled her undercover task.

Abby was welcoming of Claire, obviously not knowing who she really was at first, so she didn’t hold back on being flirty and playing to the attraction. In a way that was perfect for Claire as it put her in control of what could or couldn’t happen, but it was also risky because of her concealing her really identity and that put her on edge when she realised she had feelings for Abby that would only complicate everything further. It was quite slow burn in that respect, but that worked really well for Claire and Abby really building up a relationship that was strong and based on truths, since Claire did remain very true to herself without revealing all.

An up and down slow burn romance with lots of great moments and really cute sentiments throughout.

Firstly this is a well written book, the plot focuses on two POV’s set between a very successful CEO who started with nothing but grew up to gain everything she wanted (very rags to riches) and a down to earth restaurant / cafe owner who unfortunately won’t sell up! The story is a very, very slow burn story to the points that I found it so very slow and painfully edging forward to get into the main story. Lots of side characters, a set or rules the CEO eventually comprises on and a small amount of mystery. Lots of heartbreak however nothing really happens to cause this, a few passionate kisses and omission to tell the real truth. I did find throughout the story it was very sickening sweet with the family and general interactions at points this just felt weird as just bit to perfect world for me. It was a nice story but that’s it really, the characters are a bit older in life which was nice to see but unfortunately not real a wow factor story. Definitely worth a read but I would advise don’t expect too much out of this. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read.

Published on Goodreads 12/21/2024
Rating: 🙂/3.25
Review: Romance with a small mystery with some substance and representation. A Horrible cover. Some of the business talk was a but long and pulled me out of the story. A book about food.
Format: 👩🏻‍💻
Source: #netgalley

Claire Beauchamps ‘has made her name by being the top money maker by buying property to redo and resell but this time her team has hit a little bump in the road. Most businesses were easily taken over but… She didn’t get where she was by backing down so she suggested offering more money. Everyone likes money, right but Claire cares only about having her way in business.
Abby Pita, owner and operator of ‘Sunshine and Sweets Café’ has worked hard to get where she was. Working and raising her daughter, Sophie, it had taken her a long time to save and afford to buy the restaurant, where she herself worked when it was put on the market. With lots of work and her skills as a baker her little café was finally making it. She couldn’t figure out what someone would want, buying her and everyone else's businesses. While others sold out she knew she never would.
Now Claire is trying to get Abby to sell her restaurant but how was that going to happen if she couldn’t talk Abby into selling. Ms. Underwood has given us a wonderful, fun read that I enjoyed very much
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

Claire Beauchamp has built her empire following a list of rules. Number one is, business always comes first. She is still haunted by her childhood living in poverty. When her next building expansion is being held up by one local cafe owner she decides to take matters into her own hands. Abby Pita purchased her vegetarian cafe only six months prior but she worked there for over ten years. She was a single mother at 21 and raised her daughter on her own. Claire is impressed when she meets the warm and flirty Abby. She shares her leftover food in the evenings with the local homeless.

I like that you can see the friendship blooming between the pair but of course the obstacle is Claire’s business first rule. The side characters add to the story but they are brought in like we should already know them. I’ve read the author’s previous two books and I don’t think they connect into this story. I love that Claire has a pet tarantula she cares for. There is a mismatch of power in the story and along with that a lack of sharing information. It puts the will they or won't they firmly in Claire’s control. I enjoyed the story most when the two would talk and be flirty together. Otherwise it was a slow burn waiting to see when the information would come forward and what the fall out would be. (3.5 Stars)

The story line has a lot of depth. I enjoyed the development of the characters. I thought Julie did a great job with this story.



Thank You to the Publisher Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley.

Claire, head of Lotus Enterprises, has a plan for a massive IT outlet. Only problem is, one small shop refuses to sell on the needed property.
Abby Pita has happily settled in owning her shop, Sunshine and Sweets. Despite the generous offers, she has no plans to sell. Then Claire walks into her store, scouting the place.
Now Claire finds herself unusually torn. On one hand they need the property, on the other Abby is a sweet, decent person whom Claire doesn't want to hurt.
Good romance, good characters, there is a third act breakup but at least it didn't feel dumb or badly plotted. I did feel like who the villain was wasn't set up very well...
3 stars out of 5.

Claire had a rough childhood growing up and now lives by a certain set of rules. One of which includes never falling in love. It has always been business first. When her path crosses with Abby there is a huge wrench thrown in her rules and her structured lifestyle.
Loved the way as the story developed so did the characters. There was a lot of depth that was shown in the storyline. It was very heartfelt and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. Just one more chapter. It was awesome. Highly recommend!!!!

I enjoyed this book, but it seemed to take forever for the MC’s to get together. I sympathized with both ladies hesitation to take the chance with each other. The secondary characters were well written, and the added canine characters were very cute. The author did a wonderful job of describing the main characters. It was obvious that the author took her time to flesh out the main character’s personalities.

This is my first book by Julia Underwood. I enjoyed the premise and the book was well written.
This book was a romance that covered less than a third of the book. The MCs had 2 non-dates, 2 additional meals together all over approximately 6 weeks. This does not make relationship. This was not protrayed as a love at first sight novel as well. Most of the book was trying to bridge their difference. I believe that if there was more instances to get together I believe it would have been a better book.
All being said, I truly enjoyed her writing style., enough that I will give J Underwood an additional chance.

Really good book. I liked the main characters even though sometimes they got on my nerves. The romance was really good between them and their love story was believable. I like reading Ice Queen romance and this was a great example of that. The characters are well written and the plot kept me wanting to read more. There's romance, drama, and angst in this book, and the support characters were written to help move the story along. I would definitely recommend this to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

Claire and Abby - both business owners but worlds apart - big business meets small business.
A story of corporate takeover mogul versus the independent business owner who's just bought a business she previously worked in.
Ice queen meets her match in a story of 'will they won't they' as one has always put business first the other won't compromise of being put before business.
The book is well written, a humorous, slow burn that keeps you turning the pages, throw in some intrigue and a tarantula and you have a really enjoyable romance.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the
ARC. This is my honest review.

Clairice “Claire” Beauchamp has spent her adult life escaping poverty and reaching the top of her industry by adhering to her rules. But staying there may prove to be the most difficult challenge yet. Lotus Enterprises’ next big project requires owning an entire city block, and one last property owner refuses to sell. So, Claire goes undercover to scope out the café owner. She expects to discover the source of her resistance and negotiate a deal. She doesn’t expect to be so drawn to her.

Abby Pita is finally her own boss after achieving her dream of owning Sunshine and Sweets Café. She has no interest in the buyout offers, especially not as her attraction to her newest customer, Claire, is growing. Claire seems to feel their connection too, and Abby has hope that there could be a future for them.

This book was slower-paced than I'm used to. I enjoyed getting to know Claire and Abby. [Is Claire's name an homage to Outlander?] Both characters were interesting in their own right, but the story dragged on a little too much for me, and the payout was underwhelming. 3.4⭐

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?

CEO Claire is at the top of her game. Her hard-won success has been achieved by following a simple and strict set of rules:
1. Business always comes first
2. Succeed
3. Don’t fail
4. Never fall in love

Everything is going Claire's way, that is, until her latest project. In an effort to get a café owner to sell her property, Claire decides to go undercover to find out what the issue is.

Abby is finally winning at life and able to give back to everyone who helped her along the way. She's not interested in selling the café, no matter the offer. Some things can't be bought.

The sparks of attraction fly as soon as Claire and Abby meet, but is happy-ever-after a possibility for them?

Can Abby's warmth melt Claire's control and rules?
Can Claire see beyond the prison of her self-imposed rules and allow herself to be happy?

The attraction is instant and hot, and there's much to enjoy in this tale of people finding their person and allowing themselves to be vulnerable.

The pacing occasionally slows, but it's worth it as everything is brought together and a way forward is found.

Claire and Abby are a cute couple, and I enjoyed their story.


*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*

This book is a fun and heartfelt romance. Claire, a high-powered executive, goes undercover to convince Abby, a café owner, to sell her beloved shop, but things get complicated when sparks fly between them. The chemistry is undeniable, and their growing connection feels genuine, making you root for them despite the secrets in play. The tension builds as Claire wrestles with her loyalty to her career versus her feelings for Abby. It's a charming read with a satisfying mix of romance, drama, and a touch of sweetness.

I waded through. I would even describe it as half a slow burn, and not the burn part. I just felt it was a long time waiting for the plot bump trailed in the synopsis. Fortunately when it happened the impact wasn't dragged out as some misunderstanding. It was a barrier but more on one side than the other. I was more engaged with the last quarter which meant I rounded up!