Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. – Jane Austen
So, not divulging too much about my age, but who remembers that classic 80’s movie with Melanie Griffith, Working Girl? I loved that movie. The poor, hard driven girl overcomes all odds to prove herself to the maniacal boss that she is as fully capable as anyone else and actually makes a success of herself. We all love a good rags-to-riches story. Throw a healthy dose of sexual tension into that story between two handsome men and you have a winner!
Sean is a paralegal student who is top of his class. He is expecting a prestigious placement as an intern in a powerful law firm. When Sean finds out that Coleman, the head of the law firm, has rejected his application, Sean is devastated. Through a series of complicated plot twists, Sean finds himself working as an intern at the same law firm for which he was originally rejected. Because Coleman found Sean’s application unacceptable and lacking in character, Sean has to keep a very low profile while working at the law firm. Sean catches the eye of the arrogant Coleman who then begins an elusive pursuit of Sean. Sean’s constant worries as to Coleman’s motives provide the tension that spurs this story along.
Stretke does a remarkable job of telling this rags-to-riches story of the poor, struggling, downtrodden intern and the anti-hero, rich, successful and powerful head of the law firm. The tension between the two main characters is very palpable during the story and both characters are likable. I found myself rooting for both men during the story and couldn’t wait for them to find the happiness that they both so eagerly sought.
This novel does have its drawbacks. One is that the tension between the two characters at times came across as manufactured and contrived. There is also a good dose of sexual harassment and both main characters need to pay more attention to the company sexual harassment training manual. I did find myself thinking on more than one occasion during my consumption of this book that the main character, Sean, needed to buy a vowel. However, through and through, the story of the two main characters struggling to deny an obvious attraction between them makes for an enjoyable romance.
You can by The Art of the Deal here:
Reviewed by: Bruce