The Whispering Pages Book Blog

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway

Working It
(Love by Design #1)

by

Kendall Ryan

Released November 11, 2013

 ~ Synopsis ~

Straight-laced and well-mannered southerner Emmy Clarke is out of her depth in New York City’s fashion world, but when she lands a job as an assistant at a modeling agency it seems like the perfect mix of business and pleasure. Working under the notoriously tyrannical Fiona Stone is a nightmare, but there’s one distinct perk: ogling the ridiculously hot male models who parade through the office—particularly rising star Ben Shaw.

Ben is everything Emmy’s not: exquisitely gorgeous, highly paid, and well-traveled. He’s also got more issues than Vogue. Emmy looks after Ben on photo shoots, but she refuses to become another one of his lusting groupies. Ben finds Emmy’s refreshingly real attitude to be surprisingly attractive.

Against a backdrop of the most fashionable cities in the world, casual flirting turns into an illicit affair, but when Ben’s twisted past is revealed, and the bitter Fiona catches wind of their relationship, their careers and hearts are threatened.

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~ Review ~ 

Where to start….how about I LOVED this book!!  Holy hotness…paging Ben Shaw!!  I am a huge fan of Kendall’s work and this book did not disappoint.  I read this book in less than a day, as I could not put it down.

Emmy Clarke, a young woman trying to make it in the vicious world of fashion as the assistant to the one and only (thank goodness) Fiona Stone.  Let’s just get it out there that I was NOT as fan of Fiona and her controlling, belittling, meddling and underhanded ways.  Emmy is more of a simple southern girl with family roots.  Fiona misses no opportunity to point it out either.

Ben Shaw is the feature model of Status Model Management.  He is panty dropping gorgeous and oozing with charm and seduction. 

Emmy notices Ben just like every other living and breathing woman but she sees beneath the glitz and glamour to the man himself.  She actually gives without expecting something in return.  She cares and that is something that Ben is not used to.  

The story spans a few months but what a ride.  They hook up in the City of Love but Ben took a liking to Emmy from the start. You could tell right away that there may be more to Fiona and Ben’s relationship than just mentoring. As the relationship grows they decide to keep it a secret to avoid further conflict with Fiona.

Relationship….touchy subject, as Ben doesn’t do relationships.   I loved their little “text” sessions.  It seemed as Emmy could be bolder with Ben from a distance.

I loved that the story was told through both Emmy and Ben’s POV.  It was nice to get his take on the events as they were transpiring.  I could understand Emmy’s insecurities about being with Ben, I mean he’s a model and she was just an ordinary girl with curves and all. 

Now you may or may have heard that there is a M/F/M interaction in the story.  Not a usual in Kendall’s books but in this case I thought it was used to reflect Ben’s deflection of commitment.  This was also a turning point for Ben in the story.  Both Emmy and Ben appeared to go with it because they believed that it was what the other wanted, but remained focused on each other throughout the act.

Ben and Emmy’s ride is anything but smooth but I really was pulling for them to find a way to work it out in spite of their obstacles.  There were a few instances when I wanted Emmy to be a little stronger.  I wanted her to stand up for what she wanted and not be so naïve.  I also wanted to shake some sense into Ben on more than one occasion.  There comes a time when you just have to say enough is enough and put a stop to past behaviors that are no longer acceptable.

So with all that being said, I finished the book and was already looking for more Ben.  Lucky for me there will be more Ben coming our way in 2014 in Craving It.   Already on my TBR!
** Received an ARC from Publisher in exchange for an honest review

~ Rating ~ 

~ Links to Buy ~ 

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~ About the Author ~

Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the contemporary romance novels HARD TO LOVE, UNRAVEL ME, MAKE ME YOURS, RESISTING HER and THE IMPACT OF YOU.  She's a sassy, yet polite Midwestern gal with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss. Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest books news.

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