WE SHOULDN’T by VI KEELAND

‘There may be a fine line between love and hate but straddling that line can be so much fun.’

We do love enemies to lovers’ romance, add in an office romance scenario and we’re there! They’re two of our favourite things. There’s something so deliciously addictive about them – the push-pull and banter between the characters is captivating, and Vi Keeland has delivered a sexy, sweet, swoony, funny, passionate and often emotional romance in We Shouldn’t.

Annalise O’Neill and Bennett Fox bashed heads, heated up the sheets, traded snarky witty barbs and whispered sexy sweet nothings, and whether in work or sex these two certainly gave it their all with a passion that had us eating up every page! It was dislike and lust at first sight for these two.

“It’s going to be difficult for you not to fall for me.”
“God, you’re such an ass.”

When Annalise’s firm Wren Media merges with Bennett’s firm Foster Burnett, there is only one position for Creative Director in the San Fran office, so Annalise and Bennett are pitted against one another for the same position. The winner of the advertising pitches gets to stay in San Francisco, with the loser relocating to the firms Texas office.

Cocky, confident Bennett thinks he has it in the bag, already nicknaming Annalise ‘Texas’ to try and ruffle her feathers, relaying the confidence he has; he must win the pitches and stay in San Francisco for reasons that become obvious throughout the story. Losing is not an option, however, Annalise has contacts and she’s a perfect adversary for Bennett, much to his chagrin. However, Bennett soon realises he’s spending more time lusting after Annalise than he should be.

“I didn’t see you coming, Texas. Didn’t see you coming.”

Annalise has just come out of an eight year relationship that left her devastated, and she one day hopes to find love. Bennett doesn’t do relationships for reasons we learn as the story progresses, and putting the puzzle pieces of the contradictory Bennett together was something we relished in.

Annalise and Bennett were opposites in so many ways, but they made sense from the beginning. Sizzling sexual chemistry and sweetness between them, despite the snippy exchanges between the two, they made us swoon. The romance is wonderful, the relationship between young Lucas and Bennett’s added another element that warmed our hearts.

‘My heart let out a big sigh. That’s the thing about love. We don’t fall in love with the perfect person; we fall in love despite a person’s imperfections.’

There’s really is a fine line to straddle in the enemies to lovers’ theme. Always ensuring the caustic banter never impedes on the swoon factor of the story, and Vi Keeland most certainly found a perfect balance with Annalise and Bennett – funny, sweet and sexy yet delivering the will they/won’t they, do they / don’t/they, hot/cold moments devour. Annalise certainly gave back as much as Bennett dished out and the emotional moments between the two were heart-rending. Can Annalise uncover the beauty beneath her beast? Find out in this sweet and entertaining read.

‘In an instant, the rest of the missing pieces of Bennett Fox clicked into place. Such a complex man, with scars inside that ran a lot deeper than the one on the outside.’