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The Assignment
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
Reasons why I should not be drawn to Troy Serrano.
Number one: He’s obnoxious.
Number two: He and I were enemies over a decade ago in high school.
Number three: He’s my friend’s ex-boyfriend.
I could go on and on, really.
When my boss gives me an unwanted assignment and tells me it involves spending time with the grandson of one of our residents—the grandson turns out to be Troy. He’s now as successful as he is undeniably handsome.
Lucky me. Four hours a week of having to deal with his insufferable personality and unsolicited advice.
The only consolation is getting to stare at his annoyingly gorgeous face in between our many arguments.
Eventually, though, we slowly warm to each other and our outings become something I actually look forward to.
What’s happening to me?
Apparently, I misunderstood the assignment, because it certainly didn’t include thinking about Troy when I close my eyes at night, imagining what it would be like with him—just once. All the while hating myself for fantasizing about a guy who’s all wrong for me. A guy whose car I keyed back in the day. (Long story, but he deserved it.)
That’s all this is—a fantasy.
Well, until that one night at the bar.
The night Troy and I run into each other, and all of our pent-up frustration comes barreling out.
Still, I refuse to accept that it means anything.
There’s no way the guy I’m supposed to hate is also the one I can’t live without.
Reasons why I should not be drawn to Troy Serrano.
Number one: He’s obnoxious.
Number two: He and I were enemies over a decade ago in high school.
Number three: He’s my friend’s ex-boyfriend.
I could go on and on, really.
When my boss gives me an unwanted assignment and tells me it involves spending time with the grandson of one of our residents—the grandson turns out to be Troy. He’s now as successful as he is undeniably handsome.
Lucky me. Four hours a week of having to deal with his insufferable personality and unsolicited advice.
The only consolation is getting to stare at his annoyingly gorgeous face in between our many arguments.
Eventually, though, we slowly warm to each other and our outings become something I actually look forward to.
What’s happening to me?
Apparently, I misunderstood the assignment, because it certainly didn’t include thinking about Troy when I close my eyes at night, imagining what it would be like with him—just once. All the while hating myself for fantasizing about a guy who’s all wrong for me. A guy whose car I keyed back in the day. (Long story, but he deserved it.)
That’s all this is—a fantasy.
Well, until that one night at the bar.
The night Troy and I run into each other, and all of our pent-up frustration comes barreling out.
Still, I refuse to accept that it means anything.
There’s no way the guy I’m supposed to hate is also the one I can’t live without.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2022
About the author
Penelope Ward
94 books25.1k followersPenelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 637 reviews
March 3, 2022
cute. easy. worth the read.
which is exactly what i wanted when i picked this up.
but i also know that this is the kind of story where, if i sit and really think about what i read, i could probably make a pretty decent list of all of the less-than-stellar things about this book. buuuuut im not going to.
because, again, this gave me the light entertainment i was looking for - the kind where i could just turn off my brain and just enjoy it.
so thats what you are wanting or needing, this is the book for you!
↠ 3.5 stars
which is exactly what i wanted when i picked this up.
but i also know that this is the kind of story where, if i sit and really think about what i read, i could probably make a pretty decent list of all of the less-than-stellar things about this book. buuuuut im not going to.
because, again, this gave me the light entertainment i was looking for - the kind where i could just turn off my brain and just enjoy it.
so thats what you are wanting or needing, this is the book for you!
↠ 3.5 stars
February 25, 2022
One of my top favorites from Penelope! I loved the connection between these two imperfect characters that somehow fit perfectly together!
Read
March 4, 2022★ ★SALE ENDING★ ★
Going, Going, Gone! I'm about to change the price of THE ASSIGNMENT very soon from $3.99 to $4.99. The book will not be on sale again and will NOT be going into Kindle Unlimited. So, if you were planning to buy it, it's at the lowest price it will ever be RIGHT NOW. <3
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BYDv6f
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3tih2xb
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/35eRZD4
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/357JJot
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3ntne3e
B&N: https://bit.ly/3s8fBle
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3p4M3mO
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3IdIAd5
Audible: https://adbl.co/3HolOOJ
Amazon Audio: https://amzn.to/3uLX2Ft
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3GxhCw9
Hardcover: https://amzn.to/36NwklV
Going, Going, Gone! I'm about to change the price of THE ASSIGNMENT very soon from $3.99 to $4.99. The book will not be on sale again and will NOT be going into Kindle Unlimited. So, if you were planning to buy it, it's at the lowest price it will ever be RIGHT NOW. <3
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BYDv6f
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3tih2xb
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/35eRZD4
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/357JJot
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3ntne3e
B&N: https://bit.ly/3s8fBle
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3p4M3mO
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3IdIAd5
Audible: https://adbl.co/3HolOOJ
Amazon Audio: https://amzn.to/3uLX2Ft
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3GxhCw9
Hardcover: https://amzn.to/36NwklV
February 28, 2022
2.5 ⭐
REVIEW WITH DETAILS AHEAD
Aspyn is assigned to chaperone Mr Serrano and his grandson after the latter smuggled him out of the home. When she finds out that the troublemaker is Troy Serrano, the guy who cheated on her best friend in high school she pukes out flames from her mouth.
Instantly she doesn't want to continue with the chaperoning but she has no choice:
The more they spend time together, the more Troy seem to want to crack her because he wants to leave the past there and move on from it:
Aspyn then tells her now married with a child, bestfriend (Jasmine) that she met her ex and she has to be with him for four hours a week. Jasmine reveals juicy information that:
Aspyn realises a stirring in her because when Jasmine revealed it she:
But Aspyn is sure no guy would pick her from the dating app because:
The next time they met Troy asked Aspyn out for dinner on Friday, "as friends" but Aspyn turned him down so he gets advice from his grandpa that he should stop thinking with his dick:
So on Friday coincidentally Troy was right outside the bar Aspyn was with her date at and he crashed his car onto another infront making Aspyn come out of the bar to check on Troy. Her date then tells her its rude to talk to another man while on a date so she flips him off and somehow Troy manages to bring her out for dinner at a sushi restaurant. After dinner then he realises that:
So Troy sets up a dinner on Saturday with Aspyn and Kiki (the niece) to get to know both of them. Kiki then shares that:
And then halfway through dinner Kiki gets her first period at 8 and 1/2 years old (feels a little bit too fucking early for me) but this means Aspyn and Troy get to spend alone time together. They share each other's lives which ends in an awkward goodbye because Troy doesn't want to leave. Her shares with his cat about his complicated feelings:
But then we find out Aspyn talking to her mum about her unfortunate feelings towards Troy:
The next day at work Aspyn is told she doesn't need to do any more chaperoning which Troy groans in protest to. So at the end of the day Troy decides to confess to Aspyn about his one sided crush and how much he thinks about her with his pants off. This scares Aspyn off which makes her tell him that they shouldn't see each other anymore but if that's the case we won't have more chapters so.....
Blah blah blah then Aspyn goes out with her colleague to the bar and she spots Troy with a woman and she gets upset so she frequently looks over at him. She then gets caught in the act and Troy texts her to meet him at the back of the bar and they have a lame kiss. Then Troy asks Aspyn if he can send her home and she asked this:
But fast forward, Aspyn brings Troy home and they bang each other because:
OKay I'm getting tired of writing a long review for this book because it is just the same theme of fighting and getting back together and mingling with the other people around them. So I'll end it off by saying they screwed more, they dated and their love-hate relationship turned into a just love relationship.
REVIEW WITH DETAILS AHEAD
Aspyn is assigned to chaperone Mr Serrano and his grandson after the latter smuggled him out of the home. When she finds out that the troublemaker is Troy Serrano, the guy who cheated on her best friend in high school she pukes out flames from her mouth.
Instantly she doesn't want to continue with the chaperoning but she has no choice:
I’d ask management to assign someone else to chaperone your outings, but we don’t have the staff to accommodate an alternateSo throughout the two hours that she has to spend with the men, Troy and her have constant banter because of how much they hate each other and this causes Mr Serrano to constantly disappear because he knows they won't stop:
I figured I’d leave you two to go on with your arguing
The more they spend time together, the more Troy seem to want to crack her because he wants to leave the past there and move on from it:
Damn, she was a hard nut to crack
Aspyn then tells her now married with a child, bestfriend (Jasmine) that she met her ex and she has to be with him for four hours a week. Jasmine reveals juicy information that:
Troy was the first guy to really make me come. That’s not something you forgetI wonder what will Jasmine's husband think.
Aspyn realises a stirring in her because when Jasmine revealed it she:
What she’d said about Troy had me hot and bothered for some reason, and that was…disturbingbut she receives her blessing from Jasmine to go ahead should she want to:
So, I just want you to know that if for some reason you feel like going for it, that would be okay with me
But Aspyn is sure no guy would pick her from the dating app because:
Not only that, but guys don’t normally love it when you tell them you’re basically a single mom during the weekbecause she takes care of her niece after her sister's passing. She then decides to revive her dating app just to accidentally swipe right on Troy who wants to fix things with her because he wants to make things right after hurting her:
For some reason, it’s important to me to make things right with youso after some back and forth banter Troy realised he couldn't sleep because Aspyn kept him up:
Instead, I kept having imaginary arguments with her in my head
The next time they met Troy asked Aspyn out for dinner on Friday, "as friends" but Aspyn turned him down so he gets advice from his grandpa that he should stop thinking with his dick:
It’s coming from below the belt
So on Friday coincidentally Troy was right outside the bar Aspyn was with her date at and he crashed his car onto another infront making Aspyn come out of the bar to check on Troy. Her date then tells her its rude to talk to another man while on a date so she flips him off and somehow Troy manages to bring her out for dinner at a sushi restaurant. After dinner then he realises that:
Tonight had made me realize how much I liked her
So Troy sets up a dinner on Saturday with Aspyn and Kiki (the niece) to get to know both of them. Kiki then shares that:
Play video games, I guess. He wiped his mouth. What do you play? Super MarioMe too girl me too.
And then halfway through dinner Kiki gets her first period at 8 and 1/2 years old (feels a little bit too fucking early for me) but this means Aspyn and Troy get to spend alone time together. They share each other's lives which ends in an awkward goodbye because Troy doesn't want to leave. Her shares with his cat about his complicated feelings:
Where’s that gonna get me if she doesn’t like me back?
But then we find out Aspyn talking to her mum about her unfortunate feelings towards Troy:
I’m extremely attracted to him, though I don’t like admitting thatbut then realises Troy is the manwhore who cheated on her bff so she told herself she won't be climbing up the Troy tree.
The next day at work Aspyn is told she doesn't need to do any more chaperoning which Troy groans in protest to. So at the end of the day Troy decides to confess to Aspyn about his one sided crush and how much he thinks about her with his pants off. This scares Aspyn off which makes her tell him that they shouldn't see each other anymore but if that's the case we won't have more chapters so.....
Blah blah blah then Aspyn goes out with her colleague to the bar and she spots Troy with a woman and she gets upset so she frequently looks over at him. She then gets caught in the act and Troy texts her to meet him at the back of the bar and they have a lame kiss. Then Troy asks Aspyn if he can send her home and she asked this:
Can you even drive? I asked. I saw you drinkingyet gets into the car even after knowing he did, especially after her sister and her bf were killed in a car crash too. Death wish? I think so
But fast forward, Aspyn brings Troy home and they bang each other because:
That little bit of hate you still have left for me in there somewhere? Yeah? I panted. I’m about to fuck it out of you. Hard.just for it to end in less than 10 seconds because Troy couldn't keep it in.
OKay I'm getting tired of writing a long review for this book because it is just the same theme of fighting and getting back together and mingling with the other people around them. So I'll end it off by saying they screwed more, they dated and their love-hate relationship turned into a just love relationship.
August 14, 2022
1.5-stars ***SPOILERS***
DNF @ 85%. I could care less about the characters or their romance.
1st DNF attempt @ 19% then skimmed & skipped until 85% because:
1. weak & unlikable characters
Hero was beta & PC (politically correct). He made many alpha claims but pandered a lot to h. He kept giving h mixed messages, with his "I'm non-commital" but "no others, okay?". He also played games with her. He threatened to go home with another woman he met at the bar, if h didn't choose to go home with him. He also strung h along with his words of desire/affection followed by "right now" and "for now". For example, @59% when they've already been steadily dating, he told her that "Right now, the joy of my life is you." Such a romantic, this guy.
Heroine was mean-spirited and judgmental towards Hero, although she was nice & helpful with friends/family. She never even dated Hero back then in high school. Yet 11 years ago she keyed his car and put laxatives in his football team's donuts just to get back at him for cheating on her best friend(BFF) back then. Her BFF had no part of h's revenge scheme and had to tell h in the current time to let it go since that was 11 years ago. But h still held a lot of bitterness about her past. She secretly liked H even then but he admitted to not being attracted to her then & viewed her as a 3rd-wheel on his dates with her BFF. h also tended to get stuck in a rut. After she was caught cheating and lost her Princeton scholarship, she didn't pursue college at all and partied instead. And was on her way to alcoholism until her sister & her fiance died from the car accident linked to h's drunkenness.
2. HFN romance
Such a boring and immature couple. Both were wishy-washy and fought like middle-schoolers. A divorce/break up wouldn't surprise me at all.
3. lacked S chemistry & emotional chemistry
No zing. No feels from these 2. They got together due to physical promixity & convenience (i.e., their age, shared single-&-looking status, both lonely & wanted some companionship).
4. un-sexy sex scenes
H's sex talk was cheesy. Since he kept reminding h about him being non-commital, his sex talk was insincere and seemed like stuff he probably said to his other lovers to try to turn them on. It was also unsexy that he kept asking h what she wanted and that he wouldn't do anything she didn't like. He was such a PC people-pleaser.
5. too much paleo-diet info as page-fillers
6. dialogue was juvenile and uninteresting
Even their texting/sexting was meh. They were both trying to be flirty but it just fell flat.
Sexual History:
29yo h had 2 BFs/lovers before H. Both her ex-BFs were from the last 7 years. Before that, she was depressed and semi-alcoholic from drowning her sorrows from getting her Princeton scholarship taken away from her before she even attended Princeton for cheating on a high-school exam. Her dating life seemed to be lacking at that time too. It wasn't until her sister & her fiance died in a car accident linked to h's drunkenness that she quickly snapped out of her doldrums and began being responsible again. She got a job and took care of her niece and dated. She lived with her last BF & was with him for 3 years but broke up with him after he admitted to almost cheating on her. She'd been celibate for 1 year.
H was a player since high school. I think h's best friend was his 1st serious GF but he cheated on her with another girl from their school. He had another GF in grad school for 1 year but they broke up due to him not being really into her. In between his 2 GFs, he dated many women (including ones he met from dating apps) with clear condition that it was just casual sex. He was celibate for maybe 1 month before smexxing h.
DNF @ 85%. I could care less about the characters or their romance.
1st DNF attempt @ 19% then skimmed & skipped until 85% because:
1. weak & unlikable characters
Hero was beta & PC (politically correct). He made many alpha claims but pandered a lot to h. He kept giving h mixed messages, with his "I'm non-commital" but "no others, okay?". He also played games with her. He threatened to go home with another woman he met at the bar, if h didn't choose to go home with him. He also strung h along with his words of desire/affection followed by "right now" and "for now". For example, @59% when they've already been steadily dating, he told her that "Right now, the joy of my life is you." Such a romantic, this guy.
Heroine was mean-spirited and judgmental towards Hero, although she was nice & helpful with friends/family. She never even dated Hero back then in high school. Yet 11 years ago she keyed his car and put laxatives in his football team's donuts just to get back at him for cheating on her best friend(BFF) back then. Her BFF had no part of h's revenge scheme and had to tell h in the current time to let it go since that was 11 years ago. But h still held a lot of bitterness about her past. She secretly liked H even then but he admitted to not being attracted to her then & viewed her as a 3rd-wheel on his dates with her BFF. h also tended to get stuck in a rut. After she was caught cheating and lost her Princeton scholarship, she didn't pursue college at all and partied instead. And was on her way to alcoholism until her sister & her fiance died from the car accident linked to h's drunkenness.
2. HFN romance
Such a boring and immature couple. Both were wishy-washy and fought like middle-schoolers. A divorce/break up wouldn't surprise me at all.
3. lacked S chemistry & emotional chemistry
No zing. No feels from these 2. They got together due to physical promixity & convenience (i.e., their age, shared single-&-looking status, both lonely & wanted some companionship).
4. un-sexy sex scenes
H's sex talk was cheesy. Since he kept reminding h about him being non-commital, his sex talk was insincere and seemed like stuff he probably said to his other lovers to try to turn them on. It was also unsexy that he kept asking h what she wanted and that he wouldn't do anything she didn't like. He was such a PC people-pleaser.
5. too much paleo-diet info as page-fillers
6. dialogue was juvenile and uninteresting
Even their texting/sexting was meh. They were both trying to be flirty but it just fell flat.
Sexual History:
29yo h had 2 BFs/lovers before H. Both her ex-BFs were from the last 7 years. Before that, she was depressed and semi-alcoholic from drowning her sorrows from getting her Princeton scholarship taken away from her before she even attended Princeton for cheating on a high-school exam. Her dating life seemed to be lacking at that time too. It wasn't until her sister & her fiance died in a car accident linked to h's drunkenness that she quickly snapped out of her doldrums and began being responsible again. She got a job and took care of her niece and dated. She lived with her last BF & was with him for 3 years but broke up with him after he admitted to almost cheating on her. She'd been celibate for 1 year.
H was a player since high school. I think h's best friend was his 1st serious GF but he cheated on her with another girl from their school. He had another GF in grad school for 1 year but they broke up due to him not being really into her. In between his 2 GFs, he dated many women (including ones he met from dating apps) with clear condition that it was just casual sex. He was celibate for maybe 1 month before smexxing h.
March 5, 2022
5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
Aspyn Dumont lives in Meadowbrook, New Jersey where she works as an activities coordinator for a facility for the elderly. She loves her job, but when her boss gives her an unwanted assignment that puts her in close proximity to the man she's always hated, things get very complicated. It's been about eleven years since she's crossed paths with Troy Serrano. As her best friend's ex-boyfriend, he was considered the enemy. Now he's successful and living in Seattle. He's temporarily in town to visit his grandfather, and she is stuck spending time with him. He's obnoxious and a know it all, but he soon starts to grow on her. She shouldn't be attracted to her high school nemesis, but unfortunately he's still annoyingly handsome. Is it possible he could have changed and gone from Mr. All Wrong to Mr. Right?
-"All I know is that I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."
The Assignment by Penelope Ward is a standalone, slow burn, opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance full of angst, emotion, humor, chemistry, fabulous banter and delicious tension. Every time these two clashed it was pure fire and I couldn't put this one down. Just LOVED it!!! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/359pAOT
(ARC provided by author)
Aspyn Dumont lives in Meadowbrook, New Jersey where she works as an activities coordinator for a facility for the elderly. She loves her job, but when her boss gives her an unwanted assignment that puts her in close proximity to the man she's always hated, things get very complicated. It's been about eleven years since she's crossed paths with Troy Serrano. As her best friend's ex-boyfriend, he was considered the enemy. Now he's successful and living in Seattle. He's temporarily in town to visit his grandfather, and she is stuck spending time with him. He's obnoxious and a know it all, but he soon starts to grow on her. She shouldn't be attracted to her high school nemesis, but unfortunately he's still annoyingly handsome. Is it possible he could have changed and gone from Mr. All Wrong to Mr. Right?
-"All I know is that I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."
The Assignment by Penelope Ward is a standalone, slow burn, opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance full of angst, emotion, humor, chemistry, fabulous banter and delicious tension. Every time these two clashed it was pure fire and I couldn't put this one down. Just LOVED it!!! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/359pAOT
February 26, 2022
I NEED !!!!!
March 8, 2022
I'm in a weird don't know what to read next mood and I was suggested I read some spicy romance to get back on the proverbial bookish saddle and this is the only book I own that meets the requirements and has a dude weirdly wearing a shirt on the cover, so...
Update: this was exactly what I needed and now I'm on a roll again!
Update: this was exactly what I needed and now I'm on a roll again!
March 7, 2022
2.5 Stars
I know I’m in the minority on my opinion – but here goes anyway. For me, Ward’s latest book can be labeled as a disappointing and underwhelming read. I thought the story felt contrived and forced. Even though the author worked hard at the comical relief, that seemed a bit sophomoric at the expense of the story, too.
While the premise originally drew my attention and the book started out okay, it soon lost its momentum as the story progressed. I liked Troy's grandpa and the antics that included him. I got a kick out of Aspyn's niece and the water gun episode. But another episode that included the niece was totally unnecessary, could have been left out altogether and seemed a bit unbelievable to boot! The dating site intros written by both Troy and Aspyn made me laugh out loud. But more times than not, I found their behavior very immature and silly. I didn’t feel much of a meaningful connection between them.
The intimate scenes were passionate and sexy without going overboard with graphic details which was a win-win. There were some of those ugly word choices thrown into those scenes that made me cringe and landed in my “yuck” category.
Better together – the duo of Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland -- and seems to score wins with me more often than when they write individually. But even lately the last few co-authored books have fallen flat and bland.
So, I wasn’t wowed and even considered DNFing. Not much else I can add – it happens sometimes even with favorite authors.
March 1, 2022
I DEVOURED this book. I know by now that Penelope Ward writes incredible stories, and it never seizes to amaze me how much I enjoy reading every single one.
The Assignment is a standalone, contemporary romance by Penelope Ward. Dual POV. HEA.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
𝙴𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜-𝚝𝚘-𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜? ✔️
𝚂𝚎𝚡𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚘 & 𝚋𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚎? ✔️
𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝙱𝚞𝚛𝚗? ✔️
𝚃𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝? ✔️
𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚛𝚔𝚢 𝚂𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝��𝚛𝚜 (𝙺𝚒𝚔𝚒, 𝙽𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚘, 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚝) ?✔️
WHAT I LOVED:
- I loved that it's character driven. Troy and Aspyn are regular people, with flaws and real life strugges. And their story is captivating.
- I loved the character development and romance evolution. Troy and Aspyn have an interesting past, and now as grownups they get the benefit of hindsight to evaluate their past behaviors, to change and grow and explore their effortless and delicious chemistry.
- I loved that it's about forgiveness (oneself and other people), trust and second chances. Troy and Aspyn’s romance has stolen a piece of my heart.
- I loved Troy's relationship with Kiki (Aspyn’s niece), his romance guru (Nonno) & his convos with Patrick the cat
- I loved that Troy wasn’t afraid to express his feelings and even ask for help
- I loved the plot twist at the end
Amazon paperback -> https://amzn.to/3IdtWTn
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books . The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★ Check out all my book edits over at Instagram
The Assignment is a standalone, contemporary romance by Penelope Ward. Dual POV. HEA.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
𝙴𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜-𝚝𝚘-𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜? ✔️
𝚂𝚎𝚡𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚘 & 𝚋𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚎? ✔️
𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝙱𝚞𝚛𝚗? ✔️
𝚃𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝? ✔️
𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚛𝚔𝚢 𝚂𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝��𝚛𝚜 (𝙺𝚒𝚔𝚒, 𝙽𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚘, 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚝) ?✔️
WHAT I LOVED:
- I loved that it's character driven. Troy and Aspyn are regular people, with flaws and real life strugges. And their story is captivating.
- I loved the character development and romance evolution. Troy and Aspyn have an interesting past, and now as grownups they get the benefit of hindsight to evaluate their past behaviors, to change and grow and explore their effortless and delicious chemistry.
- I loved that it's about forgiveness (oneself and other people), trust and second chances. Troy and Aspyn’s romance has stolen a piece of my heart.
- I loved Troy's relationship with Kiki (Aspyn’s niece), his romance guru (Nonno) & his convos with Patrick the cat
- I loved that Troy wasn’t afraid to express his feelings and even ask for help
- I loved the plot twist at the end
Amazon paperback -> https://amzn.to/3IdtWTn
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books . The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★ Check out all my book edits over at Instagram
March 1, 2022
Aspyn Dumont works at the Horizons, a home for the elderly, as the activities coordinator. She recently gets assigned to chaperone one of the residents, Mr. Serrano, when his grandson gets permission take him out on regular outings twice a week.
Troy Serrano a financial advisor in Seattle, is currently temporarily working remotely in Meadowbrook to look after his grandfather who is a resident in Horizons. After breaking him out of the home twice the staff gave him permission to take his grandfather out two times a week, but with a chaperone, Aspyn who is non other than his ex girlfriend’s best friend.
But not only had Troy Serrano been one of the most popular guys at Meadowbrook High, he was also the ex-boyfriend of my best friend senior year. He’d cheated on her, and let’s just say I…went a little apeshit on him. And after that, we became enemies.
Aspyn and Troy meet eleven years later, one being stuck in Meadowbrook because of her sisters death leaving behind an eight year old for her to take care of and the other being successful but no plans on settling down because he has commitment issues.
If you are wondering how their relationship was in the past
Aspyn
Jasmine had started dating him, I’d actually had quite a crush on Troy. He was the quintessential popular football player. And I was exactly the type of girl who was invisible to guys like that. My head was stuck in the books, not up the asses of jocks. I never wore makeup or flaunted myself in skimpy clothes like Jasmine and many of the other girls did. But I still had eyes, and I was only human. When Jasmine talked about what it was like to be with him, I remember the ache of wondering what that might feel like. Then he hurt her and became Enemy Number One to me.
Troy
I always remembered her as an odd duck. Back in the day, she’d tag along with Jasmine and me but not really say much. I liked her enough—until she went batshit crazy.
Anyway they both just keep on having these bickering sessions that I honestly wasn’t enjoying much since I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. Also wasn’t sure if I liked Troy.
Over the next half hour, I swiped left to reject almost every profile shown to me. I was a picky sonofabitch—I had no problem admitting that. If she didn’t completely rock my world in the looks department and have an interesting write-up on top of that, it was an automatic no.
“Admittedly, I did like staring at Aspyn’s ass, but I wasn’t trying to get into her pants. Or her scrubs. Not to sound like a dick, but I had no problem getting laid, if I wanted to. I didn’t need to resort to groveling over some woman who hated my guts in the hopes that she’d sleep with me.”
back to the plot
After Aspyn’s second or third scheduled meeting with Troy she went to meet her friend, Jasmine (Troys ex) and updated her about what’s happening
“God, he’s even hotter now, isn’t he?” She lowered her voice. “To this day, still the best sex I’ve ever had.”
I swallowed, inexplicably uncomfortable with her admission and feeling a little offended on behalf of her husband. “Really? You still feel that way?” I whispered, though no one besides the baby was home. “Even over Cole?”
Jasmine’s husband was a very handsome man who gave Troy a run for his money in the looks department. But more importantly, he was a good guy.
She leaned back against the couch. “It was just…different back then. I was young and everything was exciting. Troy was the first guy to really make me come. That’s not something you forget.” Jasmine leaned in and poured more wine. “And you know, I wasn’t with him long enough to tire of him. It was still fresh and new when it ended.”
Jasmine even gave Aspyn the go ahead to have a physical relationship with Troy since he is ”that good”.
This point I lost interest but was just continuing for the sake of not DNF’ing another book.
Troy suddenly gets an epiphany that he wants to make amends with Aspyn for cheating on HER friend, who moved on, is happily married with a baby, who let’s not forget still thinks Troy is the best sex she has ever had because god forbid there would be anything else the lead MC of the book is good at besides being extremely good looking.
Troy: For some reason, it’s important to me to make things right with you. Like maybe you getting assigned to accompany me out with Nonno happened for a reason. It’s my chance to do something I never would have had the opportunity to do—make amends with someone I hurt in the past.
Let’s not forget Aspyns attempt of dating another guy and OF COURSE the date ends up being a disaster and Troy is there to witness it all
“A friend?” The guy lifted his brow. “You looked like you were arguing.”
“We weren’t,” she said.
He placed his hands on his hips. “Well, I think it’s pretty rude to leave a date to go talk to another man.”
Is this asshole serious?
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I spat. “She just told you she was checking on a friend.”
The thing that kept on bugging me so much is the fact that Aspyn kept on acting as if Troy CHEATED on her instead of her friend. Same friend who has moved on and even sent a Facebook request to Troy a year back and spoke to him briefly too.
“Why is Troy not good for you?” she asked.
My niece was really testing me tonight. But that was a fair question.
“There’s not a simple answer to that. But for one, we have a lot of negative history from our high school days.”
She leaned her elbows against the table. “Like what do you mean?”
“We were mean to each other, and he did some things that make me not trust him fully.”
“I don’t want to like him, Shala. He was such a dick in high school. It hasn’t been easy for me to accept that he’s changed. But I do think he has.
Like she should have just stuck to the other reasons she has of not being with him instead of bringing something that happened ELEVEN YEARS AGO TO HER FRIEND WHO AGAIN DOESN’T GIVE A SHIT ANYMORE.
Even so, he’s still not right for me. What I’m feeling is just an intense, mostly physical attraction to someone who’s all wrong. He’s my friend’s ex, on top of everything. He doesn’t even live here. And he doesn’t want to settle in Meadowbrook. There are so many reasons to stay far away.
Anyway they finally get together but then we obviously need a reason for a mini breakup between the couple right? For the climax, so here is what happened here
“The night I first told you I was going back to Seattle for a couple of weeks, the night you opened up to me about what happened to you senior year—you mentioned how one decision could change the entire course of your life. You said you believed your cheating on that exam ultimately led to all the things that came after, including what happened to your sister and the life you live now. Do you still believe that?”
She looked away. “Well, I’ll never know for certain what my life would be like if that hadn’t happened. But it’s safe to assume things would be different if I’d gotten that scholarship and gone to Princeton. I’ll never be able to say for certain that my sister would still be here if I hadn’t made that one choice, but I do believe she would.”
Surprise surprise it was Troy who told the teacher Aspyn was cheating which is why he went back to Seattle earlier than needed. It’s okay though Aspyn forgives him within two days and they live happily ever after.
Troy Serrano a financial advisor in Seattle, is currently temporarily working remotely in Meadowbrook to look after his grandfather who is a resident in Horizons. After breaking him out of the home twice the staff gave him permission to take his grandfather out two times a week, but with a chaperone, Aspyn who is non other than his ex girlfriend’s best friend.
But not only had Troy Serrano been one of the most popular guys at Meadowbrook High, he was also the ex-boyfriend of my best friend senior year. He’d cheated on her, and let’s just say I…went a little apeshit on him. And after that, we became enemies.
Aspyn and Troy meet eleven years later, one being stuck in Meadowbrook because of her sisters death leaving behind an eight year old for her to take care of and the other being successful but no plans on settling down because he has commitment issues.
If you are wondering how their relationship was in the past
Aspyn
Jasmine had started dating him, I’d actually had quite a crush on Troy. He was the quintessential popular football player. And I was exactly the type of girl who was invisible to guys like that. My head was stuck in the books, not up the asses of jocks. I never wore makeup or flaunted myself in skimpy clothes like Jasmine and many of the other girls did. But I still had eyes, and I was only human. When Jasmine talked about what it was like to be with him, I remember the ache of wondering what that might feel like. Then he hurt her and became Enemy Number One to me.
Troy
I always remembered her as an odd duck. Back in the day, she’d tag along with Jasmine and me but not really say much. I liked her enough—until she went batshit crazy.
Anyway they both just keep on having these bickering sessions that I honestly wasn’t enjoying much since I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. Also wasn’t sure if I liked Troy.
Over the next half hour, I swiped left to reject almost every profile shown to me. I was a picky sonofabitch—I had no problem admitting that. If she didn’t completely rock my world in the looks department and have an interesting write-up on top of that, it was an automatic no.
“Admittedly, I did like staring at Aspyn’s ass, but I wasn’t trying to get into her pants. Or her scrubs. Not to sound like a dick, but I had no problem getting laid, if I wanted to. I didn’t need to resort to groveling over some woman who hated my guts in the hopes that she’d sleep with me.”
back to the plot
After Aspyn’s second or third scheduled meeting with Troy she went to meet her friend, Jasmine (Troys ex) and updated her about what’s happening
“God, he’s even hotter now, isn’t he?” She lowered her voice. “To this day, still the best sex I’ve ever had.”
I swallowed, inexplicably uncomfortable with her admission and feeling a little offended on behalf of her husband. “Really? You still feel that way?” I whispered, though no one besides the baby was home. “Even over Cole?”
Jasmine’s husband was a very handsome man who gave Troy a run for his money in the looks department. But more importantly, he was a good guy.
She leaned back against the couch. “It was just…different back then. I was young and everything was exciting. Troy was the first guy to really make me come. That’s not something you forget.” Jasmine leaned in and poured more wine. “And you know, I wasn’t with him long enough to tire of him. It was still fresh and new when it ended.”
Jasmine even gave Aspyn the go ahead to have a physical relationship with Troy since he is ”that good”.
This point I lost interest but was just continuing for the sake of not DNF’ing another book.
Troy suddenly gets an epiphany that he wants to make amends with Aspyn for cheating on HER friend, who moved on, is happily married with a baby, who let’s not forget still thinks Troy is the best sex she has ever had because god forbid there would be anything else the lead MC of the book is good at besides being extremely good looking.
Troy: For some reason, it’s important to me to make things right with you. Like maybe you getting assigned to accompany me out with Nonno happened for a reason. It’s my chance to do something I never would have had the opportunity to do—make amends with someone I hurt in the past.
Let’s not forget Aspyns attempt of dating another guy and OF COURSE the date ends up being a disaster and Troy is there to witness it all
“A friend?” The guy lifted his brow. “You looked like you were arguing.”
“We weren’t,” she said.
He placed his hands on his hips. “Well, I think it’s pretty rude to leave a date to go talk to another man.”
Is this asshole serious?
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I spat. “She just told you she was checking on a friend.”
The thing that kept on bugging me so much is the fact that Aspyn kept on acting as if Troy CHEATED on her instead of her friend. Same friend who has moved on and even sent a Facebook request to Troy a year back and spoke to him briefly too.
“Why is Troy not good for you?” she asked.
My niece was really testing me tonight. But that was a fair question.
“There’s not a simple answer to that. But for one, we have a lot of negative history from our high school days.”
She leaned her elbows against the table. “Like what do you mean?”
“We were mean to each other, and he did some things that make me not trust him fully.”
“I don’t want to like him, Shala. He was such a dick in high school. It hasn’t been easy for me to accept that he’s changed. But I do think he has.
Like she should have just stuck to the other reasons she has of not being with him instead of bringing something that happened ELEVEN YEARS AGO TO HER FRIEND WHO AGAIN DOESN’T GIVE A SHIT ANYMORE.
Even so, he’s still not right for me. What I’m feeling is just an intense, mostly physical attraction to someone who’s all wrong. He’s my friend’s ex, on top of everything. He doesn’t even live here. And he doesn’t want to settle in Meadowbrook. There are so many reasons to stay far away.
Anyway they finally get together but then we obviously need a reason for a mini breakup between the couple right? For the climax, so here is what happened here
“The night I first told you I was going back to Seattle for a couple of weeks, the night you opened up to me about what happened to you senior year—you mentioned how one decision could change the entire course of your life. You said you believed your cheating on that exam ultimately led to all the things that came after, including what happened to your sister and the life you live now. Do you still believe that?”
She looked away. “Well, I’ll never know for certain what my life would be like if that hadn’t happened. But it’s safe to assume things would be different if I’d gotten that scholarship and gone to Princeton. I’ll never be able to say for certain that my sister would still be here if I hadn’t made that one choice, but I do believe she would.”
Surprise surprise it was Troy who told the teacher Aspyn was cheating which is why he went back to Seattle earlier than needed. It’s okay though Aspyn forgives him within two days and they live happily ever after.
February 26, 2022
Read my interview with Penelope Ward:
https://wp.me/p5bsdH-4cY
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Aspyn Dumont thought it was just another routine day working at an assisted living facility. However, it turned out to be anything but when she was assigned to a special task in the presence of her archenemy Troy Serrano and brought back the hurt and feelings of their volatile past.
Troy and Aspyn had effortless chemistry together. I liked that even though the overall story was light, they both had a past they needed to reflect on. The supporting characters added not only amusement but also heart into the story.
The Assignment is a story of sacrifices and forgiving oneself. It would appeal to readers who enjoy lighthearted enemies to lovers Romance.
📝➕📝 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 📝➕📝
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
December 28, 2022
⭐️ one star -
I went looking for a new Penelope Ward book here on Goodreads, and I came up with this book, “The Assignment”. I generally do like Ward, and do feel as if she puts out good material, but this one is a solid miss for me, and lands on my DNF shelf.
One - grammatical errors right on the first page. I was too busy restructuring the first couple of paragraphs to get into it 😂 When I’m having more fun editing, rather than reading for pure pleasure, I need to stop that train.
Two - I’m of a certain age where I’m involved with care in some capacity for older relatives in assisted living and/or higher care nursing homes, and the suspension of belief required for me to get into this story is just not going to be possible here. Too many actions happening that could absolutely never happen, or would absolutely never happen, in elder care. Too distracting for me personally, and I found myself more annoyed with the story, and found less enjoyment for myself. When I recognize that I’m distracted with facts in my head as to what would really happen, I need to stop. I’m here to read, escape my life for a spell, and enjoy. I don’t need reality creeping in and making my head spin, so I’m out.
This is a non-starter and a DNF. Do not recommend unless you’re willing to suspend disbelief - maybe it would work for you if you’re younger than me (ha) and don’t have life experience dealing with elder care.
One poor star. I do, however, like Ward, and will continue to peruse her books I haven’t read yet for a winner 📚
I went looking for a new Penelope Ward book here on Goodreads, and I came up with this book, “The Assignment”. I generally do like Ward, and do feel as if she puts out good material, but this one is a solid miss for me, and lands on my DNF shelf.
One - grammatical errors right on the first page. I was too busy restructuring the first couple of paragraphs to get into it 😂 When I’m having more fun editing, rather than reading for pure pleasure, I need to stop that train.
Two - I’m of a certain age where I’m involved with care in some capacity for older relatives in assisted living and/or higher care nursing homes, and the suspension of belief required for me to get into this story is just not going to be possible here. Too many actions happening that could absolutely never happen, or would absolutely never happen, in elder care. Too distracting for me personally, and I found myself more annoyed with the story, and found less enjoyment for myself. When I recognize that I’m distracted with facts in my head as to what would really happen, I need to stop. I’m here to read, escape my life for a spell, and enjoy. I don’t need reality creeping in and making my head spin, so I’m out.
This is a non-starter and a DNF. Do not recommend unless you’re willing to suspend disbelief - maybe it would work for you if you’re younger than me (ha) and don’t have life experience dealing with elder care.
One poor star. I do, however, like Ward, and will continue to peruse her books I haven’t read yet for a winner 📚
April 28, 2022
4.5 stars
Another cute romance. Troy and Aspyn knew eachother from highschool and meet up by chance years later.
They didn't have the best relationship in highschool.
Through Troy's grandfather who Aspyn is a care giver they get to know eachother better.
Aspyns neice is cute and funny.
I always love funny, cute kids in novels.
All in all a good enemies from way back to lovers romance.
Another cute romance. Troy and Aspyn knew eachother from highschool and meet up by chance years later.
They didn't have the best relationship in highschool.
Through Troy's grandfather who Aspyn is a care giver they get to know eachother better.
Aspyns neice is cute and funny.
I always love funny, cute kids in novels.
All in all a good enemies from way back to lovers romance.
March 1, 2022
A pleasant enough read
I appreciate the perfect editing
Hxh meet as high schoolers with H being her BFF's bf
He cheats on the gf and the h goes bonkers on him. Seriously mental.
He retaliates
Then they proceed to bully each other incessantly
They meet again now
She could've removed that stick up her ass about his cheating on her bff
He could've stopped apologising for it seeing as it happened a decade ago, but well...
They begin their path from hate to love as they deal with their own individual issues as well as their relationship problems
Past mistakes and secrets are revealed and eventually all is well in their world
NTS:
The twist, cleverly snuck in, is that the H, unbeknownst to the h at the time, tattled on the h when she cheated on an exam. Her cheating cost her an excellent educational opportunity which in turn changed the course of her life. Negatively. ☹️
NTS 2:
Neaten review
I appreciate the perfect editing
Hxh meet as high schoolers with H being her BFF's bf
He cheats on the gf and the h goes bonkers on him. Seriously mental.
He retaliates
Then they proceed to bully each other incessantly
They meet again now
She could've removed that stick up her ass about his cheating on her bff
He could've stopped apologising for it seeing as it happened a decade ago, but well...
They begin their path from hate to love as they deal with their own individual issues as well as their relationship problems
Past mistakes and secrets are revealed and eventually all is well in their world
NTS:
The twist, cleverly snuck in, is that the H, unbeknownst to the h at the time, tattled on the h when she cheated on an exam. Her cheating cost her an excellent educational opportunity which in turn changed the course of her life. Negatively. ☹️
NTS 2:
Neaten review
March 11, 2022
I really enjoyed it! High school enemies who grow up and mature...and find out they may be perfect for each other? I'm in!
I really grew to love Troy , once I understood his past. Sometimes I got frustrated with Aspyn for being so cautious with Troy and not fully trusting him. But once she opened up with her feelings I liked her too. This was a good story with just the right amount of romance and heat to go with the rest of a well thought out story.
Loved all the supporting characters too---Aspyn's niece Kiki, Troy's grandfather (Nonno), and even Patrick the cat.:)
4 1/2 stars
I really grew to love Troy , once I understood his past. Sometimes I got frustrated with Aspyn for being so cautious with Troy and not fully trusting him. But once she opened up with her feelings I liked her too. This was a good story with just the right amount of romance and heat to go with the rest of a well thought out story.
Loved all the supporting characters too---Aspyn's niece Kiki, Troy's grandfather (Nonno), and even Patrick the cat.:)
4 1/2 stars
February 27, 2022
Littered with adorable (sometimes laugh-out-loud funny) moments, and packed with sizzling sexual tension, The Assignment was so much of what I've come to expect from a Penelope Ward book. It was compulsively readable, angsty, and spicy sweet.
I did love the way the enemies-to-lovers trope played out for Aspyn and Troy. It should come as no surprise that Troy won my heart long before he won Aspyn's. I loved how patient he was with her, and the small, sweet ways he showed his devotion.
Aspyn was a little harder for me to really get on board with. I was a little puzzled by her inability to let go of things that happened in high school, or how she wasn't able to understand that the people we are at 18 are not the same people we are at 30. The fact that she was still hung up on these things felt a little immature to me and admittedly, I didn't always understand why Troy worked so hard to win her over. I might have benefitted from having her spend more time without one foot out the door, clinging to her insecurities. It just felt like she had a wall up for almost the entire story and it kept me from really going all-in on their relationship.
The real MVP of this story was Troy's grandfather Nonno. He was the source of much adorableness and many laughs. I loved the relationship he had both with Troy and with Aspyn. He was a bright light in this story and I adored him so much!
In the end, this wasn't my favorite Penelope Ward story, but the writing was as addicting as ever, and the happily ever after was satisfying. If you're looking for a fast-paced, sexy story with a heaping helping of angst - pick this one up! ~ Shelly, 3 Stars
I did love the way the enemies-to-lovers trope played out for Aspyn and Troy. It should come as no surprise that Troy won my heart long before he won Aspyn's. I loved how patient he was with her, and the small, sweet ways he showed his devotion.
Aspyn was a little harder for me to really get on board with. I was a little puzzled by her inability to let go of things that happened in high school, or how she wasn't able to understand that the people we are at 18 are not the same people we are at 30. The fact that she was still hung up on these things felt a little immature to me and admittedly, I didn't always understand why Troy worked so hard to win her over. I might have benefitted from having her spend more time without one foot out the door, clinging to her insecurities. It just felt like she had a wall up for almost the entire story and it kept me from really going all-in on their relationship.
The real MVP of this story was Troy's grandfather Nonno. He was the source of much adorableness and many laughs. I loved the relationship he had both with Troy and with Aspyn. He was a bright light in this story and I adored him so much!
In the end, this wasn't my favorite Penelope Ward story, but the writing was as addicting as ever, and the happily ever after was satisfying. If you're looking for a fast-paced, sexy story with a heaping helping of angst - pick this one up! ~ Shelly, 3 Stars
March 29, 2023
Aspyn und Troy haben eine gemeinsame Vorgeschichte, denn Troy war mit Aspyns bester Freundin zusammen und die Beziehung endete mit einem Knall. Jahre später begegnen sie sich wieder, denn Troy kümmert sich um seinen Großvater, der im Altersheim bleibt, in dem Aspyn arbeitet.
Nach der Schule hat Aspyn die Stadt nicht verlassen, da sie sich um ihre Nichte kümmert, aber sie mag ihre Arbeit und ist auch sehr zufrieden mit ihrem Leben. Als dann aber Troy wieder da ist, erinnert er sie daran, was ihr alles entgeht. Troy ist verantwortungsvoller geworden und genießt sein Leben, daher kann er kaum glauben, dass Aspyn ihr Leben so verschwendet. Er ermutigt sie dazu, lockerer zu werden und sich mehr Zeit für sich selbst zu nehmen.
Sie sind ehemalige Feinde und man spürt noch die Spannung zwischen ihnen, aber sie sind auch erwachsen geworden und wegen Troys Großvater müssen sie Zeit miteinander verbringen. Sie geraten immer wieder aneinander, trotzdem fühlt man eine Verbindung zwischen ihnen. Ihre Wortgefechte sind unterhaltsam und mit der Verantwortung für die Nichte hat die Geschichte auch mal einen ernsten Ton, auch wenn Humor und süße Flirts das Buch ausmachen.
Nach der Schule hat Aspyn die Stadt nicht verlassen, da sie sich um ihre Nichte kümmert, aber sie mag ihre Arbeit und ist auch sehr zufrieden mit ihrem Leben. Als dann aber Troy wieder da ist, erinnert er sie daran, was ihr alles entgeht. Troy ist verantwortungsvoller geworden und genießt sein Leben, daher kann er kaum glauben, dass Aspyn ihr Leben so verschwendet. Er ermutigt sie dazu, lockerer zu werden und sich mehr Zeit für sich selbst zu nehmen.
Sie sind ehemalige Feinde und man spürt noch die Spannung zwischen ihnen, aber sie sind auch erwachsen geworden und wegen Troys Großvater müssen sie Zeit miteinander verbringen. Sie geraten immer wieder aneinander, trotzdem fühlt man eine Verbindung zwischen ihnen. Ihre Wortgefechte sind unterhaltsam und mit der Verantwortung für die Nichte hat die Geschichte auch mal einen ernsten Ton, auch wenn Humor und süße Flirts das Buch ausmachen.
March 3, 2022
is not bad, is just boring.
March 20, 2022
Es una muy buena historia para pasar el rato, es romántica, divertida que no vas a querer dejar de leer
March 8, 2022
No hay nada malo con el, y no hay nada bueno tampoco. Fue una lectura muy aburrida, una historia plana, sin emoción, sin conflicto, un libro escrito por escribir, sin inspiración. 1,5 ⭐️
March 29, 2022
4-4.5 ⭐'s
I quite enjoyed this enemies to lovers story especially because of all the angst!
Troy used to date Aspyn's best friend but he cheated on her (in high school) so of course, Aspyn had to protect her best friend and retaliate. And retaliate she did.
Troy's back in town and helping out with his grandfather at the facility he's living in. After sneaking him out a few times, Aspyn is assigned to him to keep him in line. They argue a lot...so much so, they lose track of his sneaky grandfather.
I thought the "getting to know each other" phase was great and I loved how Troy was with Aspyn's niece. However, the drama was hard to go through.
Luckily, things get better and the epilogue was amazing!
I quite enjoyed this enemies to lovers story especially because of all the angst!
Troy used to date Aspyn's best friend but he cheated on her (in high school) so of course, Aspyn had to protect her best friend and retaliate. And retaliate she did.
Troy's back in town and helping out with his grandfather at the facility he's living in. After sneaking him out a few times, Aspyn is assigned to him to keep him in line. They argue a lot...so much so, they lose track of his sneaky grandfather.
I thought the "getting to know each other" phase was great and I loved how Troy was with Aspyn's niece. However, the drama was hard to go through.
Luckily, things get better and the epilogue was amazing!
Shelved as 'nope'
March 1, 2022Like I said: If you've read one PW book, you've read them all. Lol
March 8, 2022
Another bland book by PW it's time to take break from her books.
February 28, 2022
It was very good. I felt as if I could of been Aspyn as we all had exciting pivotal moments in either high school or college.
Wow, they really were enemies....
And the way P.W. clears the way to a relationship was phenomenal. They both learned how to communicate to a better person of themselves and towards their relationship.
I enjoyed secondary characters....grandpa and Kiki.
I liked her job at Horizons. It made me think of why people have certain jobs....that they never thought themselves being involved in.
Their intimacy was hot but not too graphic. Dirty enough.
Couldn't imagine the F word song being played at that dance. Whoa. I liked that Kiki was important to him that night. Boy toy.lol
Wow, they really were enemies....
And the way P.W. clears the way to a relationship was phenomenal. They both learned how to communicate to a better person of themselves and towards their relationship.
I enjoyed secondary characters....grandpa and Kiki.
I liked her job at Horizons. It made me think of why people have certain jobs....that they never thought themselves being involved in.
Their intimacy was hot but not too graphic. Dirty enough.
Couldn't imagine the F word song being played at that dance. Whoa. I liked that Kiki was important to him that night. Boy toy.lol
November 14, 2022
I was excited for this... But, it turned out nothing special.
Didn't feel like an enemies to lovers! Too much lust and then to cool it down, some emotional scenes.
Didn't feel like an enemies to lovers! Too much lust and then to cool it down, some emotional scenes.
March 2, 2022
I loved Aspyn and Troy's story. Penelope Ward Totally nailed this enemies to Lovers romance. It s swoony, it s funny and moving too. All the characters are so interesting and they allow us to see the heroes in a new light.
All the ingredients I love finding in a romance are there. We will enjoy the characters' "fights" and Louie is such an adorable grandpa. I loved his advice. He is funny too and he will force our heros to show their true colors
Review to be read on https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
All the ingredients I love finding in a romance are there. We will enjoy the characters' "fights" and Louie is such an adorable grandpa. I loved his advice. He is funny too and he will force our heros to show their true colors
Review to be read on https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
February 28, 2022
It started well, but there were some unneeded twists and mindless stuff that derailed the final chapters. Also grew tired of the h, but the hero was good. Side characters were annoying except the grandfather and the cat. Very average and honestly regretting the time spent in reading this amidst my busy schedule. Expected a lot and it just didn’t live up to it. The foundation was built well but I felt there could have been a better twist and storyline after the middle. After the middle, everything just annoyed me especially the h. Very forgettable. Also the title doesn’t even make sense…? The Assignment? For what? To grow out from teenage deeds? It’s weird, there could have been a better title. 3 stars only for the h, his grandfather with his wisdom and for the gorgeous cover.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2022
What I like about Penelope's writing style is the power her pen holds to come up with such original plot ideas. They're always different and not something I've read before. The Assignment was no different, a second chance between two people who've had their differences with each other years back.
Asypn works at New Horizons and is assigned to accompany Mr. Serrano and his grandson on their outings. When Aspyn realizes the grandson is no other than Troy Serrano, her best friend's ex-boyfriend from high school she's not so happy. From that moment on these two go back and forth, bickering to the point that Mr. Serrano leaves numerous times without them noticing 😆.
The chemistry between Aspyn and Troy was undeniable and the enemies-to-lovers feels were strong. While I loved Troy, it took me a long time to even like Aspyn. Her past baggage caused her not let go of what happened years back. To be honest, at times it was rather annoying as she was holding things against present Troy (who had obviously matured and changed so much) that the past young Troy had done. In the end, Troy had to work a lot to win her trust. So, it took a good chunk of the book to finally see Aspyn open up and let him in.
Heartfelt and emotional, The Assignment is a story filled with not only steamy moments, but one's they will make you laugh out loud too! If you're a fan of good angst, you'll enjoy this book for sure.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
Asypn works at New Horizons and is assigned to accompany Mr. Serrano and his grandson on their outings. When Aspyn realizes the grandson is no other than Troy Serrano, her best friend's ex-boyfriend from high school she's not so happy. From that moment on these two go back and forth, bickering to the point that Mr. Serrano leaves numerous times without them noticing 😆.
The chemistry between Aspyn and Troy was undeniable and the enemies-to-lovers feels were strong. While I loved Troy, it took me a long time to even like Aspyn. Her past baggage caused her not let go of what happened years back. To be honest, at times it was rather annoying as she was holding things against present Troy (who had obviously matured and changed so much) that the past young Troy had done. In the end, Troy had to work a lot to win her trust. So, it took a good chunk of the book to finally see Aspyn open up and let him in.
Heartfelt and emotional, The Assignment is a story filled with not only steamy moments, but one's they will make you laugh out loud too! If you're a fan of good angst, you'll enjoy this book for sure.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
February 26, 2022
THE ASSIGNMENT by Penelope Ward is a contemporary, adult stand alone erotic, romance story line focusing on twenty nine year old financial advisor Troy Serrano, and seniors activities coordinator Aspyn Dumont.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Aspyn and Troy) THE ASSIGNMENT follows the friends to friends with benefits to lovers relationship between twenty nine year old financial advisor Troy Serrano, and activities coordinator Aspyn Dumont. Ten years earlier, Troy Serrano cheated on Jasmine, his then high school girlfriend and Aspyn’s friend. Aspyn retaliated, doing damage and humiliating our story line hero, never forgiving him for the pain he caused. Fast forward to present day wherein Aspyn, now a single parent still living and working in their home town of Meadowbrook, comes face to face with a man she hasn’t seen in close to ten years, a man who gives as good as he gets. Assigned to chaperone Troy Serrano’s grandfather Giovanni on his excursions outside of the home, Aspyn and Troy would find themselves pulled together by an unknown force, a force that will be divided when the truth about what happened years before, reveals a betrayal at a different level. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Troy and Aspyn, and the potential fall-out as Troy’s time in Meadowbrook come to an unscheduled close.
The relationship between Troy and Aspyn is an enemies to friends with benefits to lovers relationship predicated by circumstance and fate. The fall-out of Aspyn’s early years have relegated our heroine to her home town of Meadowbrook, and reuniting with her high school friend’s former boyfriend feels all kinds of right and wrong. Troy Serrano is only in town for a couple of months, seeing to his grandfather while his father is away. Now working and living in Seattle, Washington, Troy has no plans for the future but his attraction to Aspyn is fuelled by the ongoing anger of a teenaged fall-out. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word, used once more for shock value than anything else.
The world building includes the troubled past of our story line heroine, the reasons she remained in her hometown of Meadowbrook, and the heart break of a man who struggles with rejection.
We are introduced to Troy’s grandfather Giovanni Serrano; Aspyn’s niece Kiki; her friend Jasmine and husband Cole, as well as Aspyn’s co-worker Shala, and Troy’s friend Eric.
THE ASSIGNMENT is a story of family and relationships, betrayal and forgiveness, love and acceptance. The premise is spirited and clever ; the characters are stubborn, animated and real; the romance is edgy and seductive.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from dual first person perspectives (Aspyn and Troy) THE ASSIGNMENT follows the friends to friends with benefits to lovers relationship between twenty nine year old financial advisor Troy Serrano, and activities coordinator Aspyn Dumont. Ten years earlier, Troy Serrano cheated on Jasmine, his then high school girlfriend and Aspyn’s friend. Aspyn retaliated, doing damage and humiliating our story line hero, never forgiving him for the pain he caused. Fast forward to present day wherein Aspyn, now a single parent still living and working in their home town of Meadowbrook, comes face to face with a man she hasn’t seen in close to ten years, a man who gives as good as he gets. Assigned to chaperone Troy Serrano’s grandfather Giovanni on his excursions outside of the home, Aspyn and Troy would find themselves pulled together by an unknown force, a force that will be divided when the truth about what happened years before, reveals a betrayal at a different level. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Troy and Aspyn, and the potential fall-out as Troy’s time in Meadowbrook come to an unscheduled close.
The relationship between Troy and Aspyn is an enemies to friends with benefits to lovers relationship predicated by circumstance and fate. The fall-out of Aspyn’s early years have relegated our heroine to her home town of Meadowbrook, and reuniting with her high school friend’s former boyfriend feels all kinds of right and wrong. Troy Serrano is only in town for a couple of months, seeing to his grandfather while his father is away. Now working and living in Seattle, Washington, Troy has no plans for the future but his attraction to Aspyn is fuelled by the ongoing anger of a teenaged fall-out. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word, used once more for shock value than anything else.
The world building includes the troubled past of our story line heroine, the reasons she remained in her hometown of Meadowbrook, and the heart break of a man who struggles with rejection.
We are introduced to Troy’s grandfather Giovanni Serrano; Aspyn’s niece Kiki; her friend Jasmine and husband Cole, as well as Aspyn’s co-worker Shala, and Troy’s friend Eric.
THE ASSIGNMENT is a story of family and relationships, betrayal and forgiveness, love and acceptance. The premise is spirited and clever ; the characters are stubborn, animated and real; the romance is edgy and seductive.
www.thereadingcafe.com
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