Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Not So Sincerely, Yours

SERIES:  For Him #2

AUTHOR:  A.M. Johnson

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 309 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 25, 2021

BLURB:

Ethan,
About last night… I could blame the bourbon. I could say I let things get out of hand, that I should have never called you, but I’m done lying to myself—to you. I know what you’re going to say. You’re not very good at keeping your opinions to yourself, but this can’t happen. It’s inappropriate, at best. I’m your boss. Not to mention, you’re clearly still hung up on him. I’m not a consolation prize.

Anders~

**

Anders,
You didn’t think it was inappropriate when you had your tongue down my throat, but I digress. As for your accusation, I’m not the only one stuck in the past, but at least I’m not running from it. I can’t believe I’m about to say this… Maybe you’re right. You shouldn’t have called me. Especially if you never intended to own it. Own that you wanted it to happen. Admit that you wanted me.

Not so sincerely,
Yours

REVIEW:

“I wanted this man. Wholly and inevitably.”

Not So Sincerely, Yours is simply scrumptious. It’s a truly fun read, a five star indulgence. This is a story of an office romance between a literary agent and his secretary who begin as enemies and, of course, evolve into friends then lovers. These are men who have both suffered recent heartbreak that has left them feeling they’re no one’s priority.

A.M. Johnson is an immensely gifted writer whose work is a pleasure to read. At times her prose is poetic in how it evokes empathy for her leading men who simply want to be loved. Her world building is masterful. It’s such a treat to experience New York City through Ethan’s eyes as he soaks up the sights, sounds, and smells around him. Johnson provides just enough detail to immerse the reader in the story without sounding like a travel brochure. And she writes scenes that are not only hot and steamy but eminently sensual. Her preludes to sex are exceedingly intimate before the heavy action even gets started. Bodies pressed together, heated kissing, eyes feasting, hands and mouths discovering and learning every inch of each other. IT’S HOT!

Anders and Ethan were introduced in this book’s predecessor, Love Always, Wild. Anders is Wilder’s agent and former friend-with-benefits who fell in love with Wilder and was rejected. He’s arrogant and intimidating, and in Ethan’s words, “He was hot. But looks didn’t mean anything when your personality was as dry as saltine and peanut butter sandwiches.” Ethan is a friend of Jax and his brother, Jason. He has recently moved to Atlanta after being dumped by his boyfriend of two years and is now living with Jax and Wilder. I wasn’t particularly enamored with either Anders or Ethan in the previous book, but here they’re both endearing. Ethan is endlessly charming, cheeky, and unfiltered. And despite the projection of arrogance and intimidation, Anders is kind and thoughtful toward Ethan. And together they’re on fire.

The story gets off to an inauspicious start when, during a party for Wilder and Jax at his house, Anders finds Ethan having sex in his bathroom. Also, Ethan is infuriated by a derogatory comment he overhears Anders make about Jason. Their hostility for each other is cemented. It’s nearly a year later when, at Wilder’s behest, Anders hires Ethan to be his temporary, part-time secretary. Let the games begin!

My favorite part of the book – and a key component – is the exchange of snarky emails that starts out hostile then later becomes decidedly flirty in nature. The correspondence takes passive aggression to new levels and both amuses and exasperates the men as they go to absurd lengths to annoy each other. This delightful back and forth battle of the wills masks their growing feelings simmering just beneath the surface. The emails are a successful plot device for expressing the passage of time and the evolution of the relationship. As their familiarity grows, the emails, and later texts, delve into deeper getting-to-know-you territory. I absolutely adored this communication. Eventually this sexy push and pull is carried on into the bedroom.

In the end, Anders and Ethan learn they’re worthy of love. The book not only has a wonderful ending but a perfect epilogue, too, that provides the happiest of endings two years down the road for Anders and Ethan, Wilder, Jax, and even Jason. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

“I want someone who is willing to choose me. Someone who will make me a priority

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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