Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: The Bargain
SERIES: Executive Suite Secrets #1
AUTHOR: Jocelynn Drake
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 286 Pages
RELEASE DATE: April 11, 2025
BLURB:
He’s a golden retriever with a billion-dollar bank account.
Sebastian is a brilliant, thoughtful boss who’s also too sexy for words.
And for some crazy reason he has set his sights on me—his lowly, boring, always-proper assistant.
I should say NO.
I need to say NO.
But YES is so much more delicious and fun.
The Bargain is the first full-length novel in the Executive Suite Secrets series, which includes a billionaire boss, a very proper assistant, a high-stakes bargain, stolen kisses, forbidden romance, meddling friends, and a sweet, forever kind of love.
REVIEW:
A new series from Ms. Jocelynn Drake and this is the first book. Stories of love among rich friends who are also hard workers in their respective fields. The first book is about Sebastian Courtland, CEO of Courtland Enterprises, and Byron Graham, his Executive Assistant.
One of the most swoon-worthy books I have ever read! I am so in love with it! Ms. Jocelynn Drake has created these beautiful characters who are just perfect in their imperfections.
Sebastian and Byron are just perfect for each other. Byron has been Sebastian’s Executive Assistant for three years now. Both have been secretly enamored with each other for also three years. The fact that Byron works for the CEO of Courtland Enterprises makes it against company policy to be involve with each other in any personal capacity. One of them have to be transferred out or get fired if ever they are found out. That in itself should prevent them from pursuing any personal relationship while they are working in the same company.
But Sebastian came up with an idea for them to test out if they are truly compatible with each other and that is for Byron to go out on ten dates with him. In turn Sebastian will help Byron with the situation of his brother. But all of these they have to do secretly and after office hours. At first Byron was totally against the idea because he felt that if ever word gets out, he will be at the losing end. But Sebastian can be quite convincing when he really wants to be, he is a formidable CEO after all, and really good at his job.
So they started on their ten dates, dinners or just being cozy and get to know each other. But in one particular instance, when Byron agreed to let Sebastian tag along while he visited his mom, it was particularly hard this time because Sebastian couldn’t help himself when he heard the woman spew homophobic comments about Byron. Afterwards, Sebastian brought them to a park so they could just walk for a few minutes, to let go of the oppressive feelings inside. Unbeknownst to them, someone took a picture of them kissing and being sweet to each other. That one simple act of inclusivity circulated and reached one of Courtland Enterprises’ personnel and it all went downhill from there.
In truth, Sebastian did try to protect Byron but his father was faster than him in resolving the issue by terminating Byron’s services immediately. Sebastian was left floundering and begging Byron to give him the chance to fix them. But Byron, who was just trying to protect himself from getting more hurt, said he will try to get his life back on track and he will try to ask for help from Sebastian if he needs one. Byron has always been alone in his struggles, taking care of his mom and brother. He doesn’t know how to accept help.
Sebastian and Byron’s story has low-angst and is full of cute and loving moments between these two who are just totally in love with each other. As I said, swoon-worthy.
I highly recommend this first book of a new series to all the true romantics out there. Thank you Ms. Jocelynn Drake for a well-written beautiful story, I cannot wait for the next book.
RATING: 
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