Review by Booklist Review
Samiah Brooks has big dreams of designing a new platonic-dating app, but her day job at a hip downtown Austin tech company, Trendsetters, leaves her with little time to spare. Everything changes one night when she discovers via Twitter that her beau has been catfishing two other women, and, soon after, a video of their confrontation goes viral, putting Samiah and his other victims, London and Taylor, in an uncomfortable spotlight. The experience turns them into close friends overnight, and the three women vow to avoid dating for six months while they focus on themselves. At work, Samiah has to face embarrassing questions and gossip, but new-guy Daniel Collins offers emotional support. Everyone at Trendsetters assumes that Daniel is just a brilliant coder, but he isn't there to climb the corporate ladder; instead he's investigating a money-laundering scheme, and to complete his mission he may have to betray the trust of someone he's just fallen for. Rochon's new multicultural contemporary romance series deploys the delicious tensions generated by an office romance, corporate intrigue, and female empowerment.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Rochon (the Holmes Brothers series) woos readers with ample wit and charm in this low-drama workplace romance. Samiah Brooks's life takes a turn when she finds out via Twitter that her beau is cheating on her with two other women. In the applause-worthy confrontation that follows, Samiah loses a boyfriend but forges fast friendships with the women he's cheated with, who join her in kicking the jerk to the curb. The trio, who dub themselves "Squad Goals," makes a pact to forgo relationships for six months to focus on self-care and self-improvement. But then Samiah's tech company hires dreamboat Daniel Collins, and Samiah becomes unsure that she'll be able to keep her promise. Though Samiah and Daniel strike up a comfortable, flirtatious camaraderie that quickly becomes less work and more play, Rochon keeps their romance on a slow simmer as both put their career obligations before their desire to be together. Readers will long for greater emotional connection between the romantic leads but appreciate the emphasis on female friendship and empowerment. This effortless rom-com makes up for its lack of romantic conflict with an extra helping of sweetness. Agent: Evan Marshall, Evan Marshall Agency. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
When three women, all strangers, find out that they've all been dating the same guy, there's a public confrontation and a viral video. Samiah, London, and Taylor become fast friends following the intense hype surrounding their minute of fame. Each of the three vow to work on themselves and avoid men for six months. The main focus of this novel is Samiah, and narrator Je Nie Fleming's rich and expressive voice perfectly captures Samiah's emotions, humor, and worries: the struggle with a competitive coworker, fierce loyalty to her new friends, and her growing passion for Daniel, the incredibly handsome and thoughtful new hire at her firm. But what's Daniel really doing at the company? VERDICT Corporate intrigue, snappy dialogue, and spicy romance will have listeners rooting for Samiah in this fresh workplace rom-com with depth and complexity.--Maureen Roberts, Baltimore Cty. P.L.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
After becoming the star of a viral video, a software engineer swears off dating. Samiah Brooks is horrified to discover her new boyfriend was cheating on her with not just one, but two other women. After her very public breakup with him goes viral, she's surprised to find herself developing a close friendship with the other two girlfriends. The three women vow to work on achieving their individual goals rather than hunting for better boyfriends. Samiah, a talented and successful software engineer, decides to finally develop an app that would help people find platonic friends through shared interests. However, Samiah's vow to swear off men is challenged by a new colleague at her high-powered Austin tech firm. Daniel Collins is a hardworking and handsome new member of her team. Instead of laughing at her viral breakup video, he is genuinely worried about her well-being. They strike up a tentative friendship, but Samiah doesn't realize Daniel has his own reasons for fighting their growing attraction: He's working undercover for the Department of the Treasury, investigating a possible connection between their firm and a money laundering ring. Rochon is a romance master who adeptly writes interesting and dynamic characters. Samiah's work ethic and need for control are rooted in childhood adversity, but she still craves friendship and love. After her public humiliation, she's relieved that Daniel seems so trustworthy and kind; meanwhile, he's tortured by the fact that lying to her is a requirement of his real job. The conflict is thorny and real without being melodramatic. Notably, the book unflinchingly portrays the obstacles Samiah faces as a black woman in a STEM field and her determination to pull other black women and girls up the ladder. A richly layered conflict adds depth and complexity to this charming workplace romance. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
