"Erotic romance"

Nasty Evangeline Clouet was the driving force behind the success of elite Meilleurs Amis Boutiques found around the world in spots for the jet setting rich and famous. However, Evangeline pushed a lover too far and he killed her. The business is run by Evangeline's boy toy husband Philip Carmichael while her daughter Beatrix stays away preferring to paint.

Bea arrives at the office and abruptly kisses her stunned stepfather Philip who she has loved since she met him as a teen. Soon she is under his desk playing with his wang as he listens to an accounting report that tells him the New York store is in trouble. Unable to resist Philip comes, but afterward tries to return to prim and proper. However, Bea knows she has the upper hand as he cannot ignore her lure. As they fall in love, a hostile takeover of the business occurs that places Bea best friend pulled between loyalty to her buddy and her lover, leading the takeover.

Readers who enjoy erotic romance that does not wait to turn up the heat will appreciate this sex in the boardroom just don't read in a public place unless you want to be considered Meg Ryan in the restaurant scene of When Harry Met Sally. The story line is either boudoir but not always in the bedroom or at the boutiques' offices though none of the key players except for Evangeline comes across as a business barracuda. Fans will gain immense pleasure with this sex anywhere is convenient tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 30, 2003

Summary

There's something about the Parisian boutique Meilleurs Amis that provokes all who enter to blur the line between business and pleasure. No one knows this better than Beatrix Clouet, the daughter of its infamous and not-so- dearly departed founder. Now the fate of the exclusive chain rests in the hands of Englishman, Philip Carmichael, Bea's young and handsome beau-pere. With temptation so near at hand, the time has come for her to see if the attraction that has always simmered between them lives up to its promise.

Meanwhile, Bea's best friend, Lela, wants a chance to run the New York branch. For this she needs management lessons and turns to get them from enigmatic executive Simon Graves. They strike a devil's bargain: for each lesson Simon gives, Lela will trade a night of sexual bliss. It's a perfect arrangement, until Simon threatens the very future of the boutiques—not to mention Lela's dearest friendship.