Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton is a somewhat slow burn thawing of an ice queen divorce lawyer by a nearly burned out A-List actress.
Family lawyer Olivia Sachdeva is head of her law firm division at a young age through hard work. She is also a massive closet fan of multi Oscar winning actress Kate Laurence. She’s got it bad. So bad, but only her closest friends know about the obsession. She is shocked nearly beyond words when the woman appears in her office looking for a divorce. Olivia is all about order and routine, and above all else, no mess in her life and she is desperate not to know the actress at all so she can continue to obsess without messy real life details intruding.
Oxford is Kate’s current shooting location, but what she really wants is a more permanent home for her children, and somewhere to settle after decades of world travel for her career. The last thing she expected was to be drawn to the taciturn lawyer with gorgeous brown eyes and a sharp, sarcastic wit to match her own.
Each woman has good reason to avoid the other, especially due to outside influence, but neither can resist the mysterious and powerful draw they feel.
Writing
The first thing I noticed was how the author initially framed Olivia as not only icy, but narcissistic, with many allusions to her powerful brain and incredible work ethic. I assumed this was to enhance the thawing out process and I will admit it worked on me. If I hadn’t known Olivia was a main character destined to find love I might have disliked her quite a bit. Instead, I fell for her with Kate as my guide to her redeeming qualities.
There are several important relationships on the edge of disaster, especially between Olivia and her best friend Charlotte. I found the emphasis on the importance of their friendship inspiring and another good way to open up Olivia’s character to the reader in an entertaining way. As part of a series their relationship was established in the first book, but I never felt left behind and found their bond as satisfying as the romance.
There are children and the author uses them to drive the plot, but Olivia’s relationship with Kate’s small daughter Bea was mostly a side story that provided a few fun moments. The child is quirky and a tiny mirror of Olivia, and their slowly growing truce was humorous and heartwarming.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Thawing an icy character takes time and dedication. For Kate and Olivia, it means many conversations that are like elaborate dances around their desires and fears. Eventually the two dance for real and this point sees their romance explode into something more direct and even more fraught. I enjoyed the author not rushing the reader into their fall into love, and not dumbing down the smart give and take between them.
Stories about queer Hollywood actors having to hide their sexuality is the norm, but Kate doesn’t make a big deal of being married to a woman and neither does the world. That’s a refreshing change and I hope this kind of story becomes more normal.
There are several important relationships in the story beyond Kate and Olivia falling in love, my favorite being Olivia’s best friend Charlotte. She is large and clumsy both physically and socially and despite loving her Olivia is often irked and even fearful of what may happen next. It’s very relatable and heartwarming to watch their relationship evolve, for both their sakes.
Heads Up
There is a very toxic male character who may trigger some people. Personally, I enjoyed his failures a little too much.
The Conclusion
When famous Hollywood actress Kate Laurence appears in Olivia Sachdeva’s office looking for a divorce, Kate is shocked at her instant attraction to the icy lawyer. Olivia wants nothing more than to avoid the woman so she can continue her life long obsession without annoying real life familiarity. The more time they spend together, often in intense conversations that test their boundaries, the more they realize they are made for each other. But the outside world threatens to tear them apart forever.
This story disregards the need to hide Kate’s sexuality to remain an actress, instead concentrating on their romance and the friendship between Olivia and her best friend Charlotte. While I enjoyed Kate’s melting of the icy Olivia, the friendship is just as rewarding a story. Kate’s daughter Bea, while not a major character, melts the world’s worst second mother candidate with her intelligent and moody toddler charms.
Excerpt from Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton
“That’s kind of you, Ms Sachdeva.” It always sounded as if Kate mocked her when she addressed her by name. “But I don’t want special treatment.”
“It wouldn’t be.” It would be a colossal favour to Olivia and keep Kate a mile from Charlotte.
“I know your manager, Hugo, booked me in, but I’m happy to come into the office. You mustn’t go out of your way especially.”
Olivia stared back. This awareness and consideration were annoying. “Actually,” she confessed, “you’d be doing me the favour.” She puzzled for a reason and failed. “It’s more convenient for me this morning.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am sure.”
“OK.” Kate nodded.
“Good,” Olivia replied.
Kate opened her mouth, then paused. “Do you like having the last word, Ms Sachdeva?” She tilted her head with a smile.
Olivia considered. “Very possibly, but you asked me a question.”
“Fair enough. Actually, I’m in chaos here, so it suits me too.”
“The appreciation is all mine,” Olivia said.
Kate pursed her lips. “You’re welcome.”
“Likewise,” Olivia added. Apparently, she did like having the last word.
“All the same,” Kate started, still with that smile, “it’s appreciated.”
Olivia raised an eyebrow.
This made Kate laugh out loud. “Did you just eyebrow your way into having the last word?”
She was inclined to raise another, but stayed the second.
“Until later then, Ms Sachdeva.” Kate lifted a finger towards the screen to end the call.
And Olivia couldn’t help confirming, “Until later,” before the screen went blank. Well. That was strangely aggravating and satisfying at the same time. She rather enjoyed the push and pull of their conversation, if only the whole scenario wasn’t so fraught.
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Series: Oxford Romance
Meeting Millie
Tempting Olivias
Bits and Bobs
ASIN number: B0CW1Y5NH6
Publisher: Indie Author
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