Title: Boss Lady
Author(s): Laralyn Doran
Series: Driven Women #2
Also in this series: A Fast Woman, Clever Girl
Published by Laralyn Doran on June 29, 2021
Pages: 358
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Caffeinated PR
Format: eArc
Purchase: Amazon
Rating:
Series Rating:
Heat Level:
Shattering glass ceilings…
She needs a silent partner, not another man pulling the strings.
He has everything—except a purpose.
Will they invest in each other or be forced to choose between love and success?
Harper Merrick
Striking out on my own, challenging the patriarchy of the racing world, and having the proverbial balls to be a respected, female stock car team owner—
I’m ready.
Resisting the tempting investor who is as irresistible as he is irritating? That’s an obstacle that may require a bit more of my Southern girl grit. I need his money for my new team, but I don’t have time for his interference—or the way he makes me feel.
I’ve dealt with men like him before. But Cal McBane isn’t like any other man, and he’s proving to be my biggest challenge, yet.
Cal McBane
I’ve been raised to follow in my father’s footsteps, but I’m dragging my feet down the path. Harper Merrick shows me a way to break free—it’ll only cost me a few million, a bit of my sanity, and my entire heart. Funding her new venture is a no-brainer—falling for the clever blonde is a surprising dividend.
Now we’re both invested—and it’s not just the money at stake.
When the team is in jeopardy, and questions are raised that could destroy Harper, will we walk away from love to save the business?
Or will we fight together and profit from a partnership no one can wreck?
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Women have to work extra hard to prove themselves, especially when competing in a world dominated by men. In Boss Lady, Harper Merrick seeks to seize the world of stock car racing by storm. Her success would make her the first woman to manage a team of stock race drivers. This story highlights the struggles women face and the constant need to prove that they can succeed in this male driven industry.
I loved the first book in the series, A Fast Woman and was elated to receive a copy of Boss Lady to review. It picked up from where book one left off. Despite this, it can be read as a stand-alone. I first met the protagonists in the book one and sensed the attraction brewing between them.
Harper currently works for her father, but dreams of managing her own team with her best friend C J Lomax as her top female driver. However. being a woman in a man’s world would prove a challenge to her ambitions. Enters Cal McBane, the brother of her best friend’s fiancée. He offered to invest in her dream, an offer she wasn’t too keen on. However, she accepted his offer with the caveat that he would remain a silent partner.
Reasons to Grab Boss Lady
The Characters
Harper was a strong, independent, and driven woman. She showed she was not afraid to pursue her dream despite the many obstacles she faced. She held her own with the media and rivals in the industry. However, she had moments when her fears and insecurities reared their head, which led to her fighting Cal’s support and her feelings for him.
Cal’s investment in Harper’s dream was a spur-of-the-moment decision. He saw it as a fun way to get back at his father for his controlling ways. Cal is confident, charming and protective of those he loves. His need to protect created conflict with Harper, who wanted to prove she could succeed without a man’s interference.
Including characters from the previous book and introducing new ones created interesting, entertaining and dramatic moments.
The Romance
The romance was a slow burn, which encountered its share of obstacles. Obstacles in the form of fear, insecurities, distance, the media and exes from both sides. It felt authentic, and I kept rooting for them.
The Plot
Once again the author had me curious to know how it would all end and the impact the decisions made and action taken would have on all involved.
Conclusion/Recommendation
A good time was had with this installment of the Driven Women series. I can’t wait to see what next the author will offer in this world of stock car racing.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: | |
About Laralyn Doran
Laralyn Doran is a multi-award winning writer of fun, contemporary romance and dark, urban fantasy romance. Her latest manuscript, “A Fast Woman” is an “enemies-to-lovers” racing romance, set to release in the fall of 2020 and will be the first in the “Driven Women” series. In 2019, “A Fast Woman” was awarded The Writer Award, given by the Land of Enchantment Romance Authors (LERA). Laralyn is a proud special needs mom, and an autism and dyslexia awareness advocate. She lives in Maryland and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Central Pennsylvania Romance Writers, Washington Romance Writers, and other affiliate chapters, where she met some amazing and supportive authors who have had the patience of saints and given her more than one kick in the backside.
- Timeless & Timeless Encore by Kaylene Winter Blog Tour - March 25, 2023
- 🎧︎War by Laura Thalassa Buddy Read Chat Review withBrandee @Unconventional Bookworm - March 23, 2023
- Second Wives by Carey Baldwin - March 21, 2023
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Fantastic review Nadene. I felt the sane way and found myself rooting for them.
Thanks Kim. I enjoyed Lady Boss and the characters were a delight. Looking forward to the next book.
I’m glad you’re liking this series Nadene. I saw when the Caffeinated PR offered them but I just didn’t have time for book 1 and then it’s hard to get into the series once you miss a novel or two. Great review thanks
So sorry you didn’t get the chance to read it.
This looks delish but I am shocked at the heat rating as I would have thought it off the charts from that cover alone!
Covers can be deceiving at times. ?
This sounds like an enjoyable read. Great review.
Yes, I enjoyed it.
This sounds like such a fun read. Thanks for sharing it. Awesome review!
Yes it was an enjoyable read.
Love seeing this series continue with women in the stock car racing world. Like the idea of their slow burn romance, too.
I agree. I know you will enjoy this installment.