Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: The Swap After Hours
SERIES: The Swap Series
AUTHOR: Annabella Michaels
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 184 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2024
BLURB:
Trevor Reed is struggling to make ends meet while working a job he hates. When he lands the opportunity of a lifetime—personal assistant to Donovan Marshall, one of New York City’s most wealthy and formidable business owners—he’s absolutely thrilled. Friendly and outgoing, he dives headfirst into his new role, despite lacking experience as a PA.
Donovan Marshall is no ordinary boss. Stern, demanding, and an admitted workaholic, he runs his empire with the precision of a well-oiled machine. He expects excellence and professionalism not only from his staff, but from himself as well. These traits have served him well in the world of business but have left very little time for a personal life.
Then one night, Trevor finds himself in the midst of a swap party. Curious, he wanders around, transfixed by some of the most arousing things he’s ever seen. When he spies a familiar face at the party, it sends shockwaves through him.
Even more surprising is Trevor’s bizarre reaction to seeing his boss—an unexpected rush of desire that he can’t seem to shake—especially since he’s always thought of himself as straight.
Curious and unable to stop thinking about what he saw—or the way Donovan looked—Trevor finds himself attending another swap party, hoping to unravel the mystery of Donovan Marshall and his own inexplicable attraction to him.
When their eyes meet across the room of writhing bodies, the heat in Donovan’s narrow-eyed gaze has Trevor’s heart in his throat. Has he just lost the best job he’s ever had, or made the best decision of his life?
The Swap After Hours is a grumpy/sunshine, bi-awakening, boss/employee workplace romance.
REVIEW:
I have loved Annabella’s books and men from the moment I met her at GRL and we had a wonderful conversation about the 60’s swap parties. I’ve been hooked every since and this might just be the best yet in this fabulous series!
Trevor Reed is just trying to make ends meet while living with his childhood best friend Doug. They had set out for New York to make their way in the world. Doug has dreams of owning his own restaurant and making a name for himself. And Trevor had worked hard and earned a degree in computer engineering and software design. But he soon learned that he didn’t have the “experience” level for the jobs he pursued. So, on the day that his beloved Trixie, his 13 year old Honda, decided she lived her last moment he is mistaken as the new PA for the head of Marshall Industries and fills in on the spot. Who knew that taking fastidious notes for the man would result in a whole new career with three times the pay! All was going well until Trevor helped out Doug on his newest catering job. This was going to be a trial run in hopes that Doug land the permanent contract with the wealthy and influential Ms Rathchild. When everyone was set to leave, after the catering was done, they discovered that they had inadvertently left their phones still locked up. But what Trevor never expected was that these bigwigs of New York were having a Swap Party and his new boss was front and center being serviced by a young man on his knees. Or that he would become aroused by what he witnessed. But how do you share an office with your boss and look him in the eye after that!?!?!
I really loved the dynamic between these two. Donovan and Trevor worked but it wasn’t an easy match. Donovan desired Trevor almost immediately but Trevor had always just assumed he was heterosexual and had only been with women. Women that never clicked that switch like he thought sex was suppose to do. And then his confusion over being attracted to Donovan and then aroused by witnessing him with the other man totally confused him more. I really appreciated Donovan’s wanting to remain professional with his employee even though he was all he could think about. And then his tender ways to make sure that Trevor understood that he called all the shots with that was happening between the two of them when they finally moved forward. The trust that was between these two men that didn’t trust, because of their pasts, was understood by the other completely and it stood out. Also the care and concern that Donovan had for Trevor as he navigated understanding what he was feeling made me love Donovan even more.
Both Doug and Donovan’s Mom Elaine and their love and desire for both men to finally have what they needed was perfect. I loved Doug’s spunky personality and Elaine is the Mom that all children should have.
As I stated earlier, I think this is the best in this series so far and that’s saying a lot! I love Annabella’s men and she did such a wonderful job with both Donovan and Trevor. This book includes all the feels that warm my heart and the love that shines through both men. Huge thumbs up for me!!!
RATING: 
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