by Julianne Baclayanto
Book: Stand Alone
Publisher: Author
Pub Date: February 1, 2025
Genre: Romance, Adult
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Book Links: Goodreads Amazon
Gemma DeLuca wants nothing more than to be a writer. The only issue? She’s stuck working as a copy editor and dog-sitting on the side to make ends meet. Things start looking up when her side hustle lands her in an Upper East Side penthouse for two weeks, while her ultra-wealthy clients vacation in France. Between their thousand-thread count sheets, her own king-sized bed, and an adorable lapdog to look after, it feels like the gig of a lifetime.
Until her client’s brother shows up in the middle of the night, expecting the place to be empty. Elias Kaplan is handsome, arrogant, and a certified player: exactly the kind of guy Gemma avoids at all costs. To make matters worse, he needs a place to stay—but doesn’t want his brother to know he’s crashing at his place.
So when Gemma’s boss assigns her a test-run article on a topic she knows nothing about, she strikes a deal with she won’t rat him out if he helps her write about one-night stands.
What was supposed to be a temporary arrangement quickly turns into something more as Gemma gets glimpses of the man behind that charming smile, and finds they have more in common than she thought. Except something more isn’t what either of them is looking for—no matter how many times they might wake up in the same bed.
Heaven Off East 82nd is a closed-door romcom with sizzle but no spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Gemma is such a wonderful character. She has dreams of becoming a writer with all this potential. However, being a copy editor doesn't exactly achieve that dream nor pay the bills. So she has to dog sit on the side.
Her luck is about to change when a big dog sitting job comes along. Rich owner, a penthouse all to herself and a cute dog. It seems easy, right? What could possibly happen.
Well...
Elias entering the picture was not part of this job. The owner’s brother shows up expecting the place to be empty but instead finds that it’s not.
Neither was expecting the other. But their connection and banter isn’t something to miss. What’s even better was how well both characters were written and relatable that you can’t put this book down.
Such a lovely book and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
My Rating:
✪✪✪✪✪
