Skip to main content

A Review of Work Wife by C.L. Donley

This is the first multicultural romance I've read by C.L. Donley, and I found her style to be simple, realistic, and engaging. The novel is more character-driven than plot-driven, which makes for an intriguing read.

Meet Anita Parker, a 38-year-old personal assistant to eccentric CEO Jonathan Jantzen. After six years of navigating his demanding personality and efficiently managing his business, Anita is surprised when, just as she's offered her dream job as a forensic investigator, Jonathan counters with a marriage proposal. The catch? It’s a six-month arrangement.

Anita throws herself into planning a “big ass” wedding, complete with all the bells and whistles—venue, dress, cake, and more. She and Jonathan begin their staged romance, practicing affection in public while only a select few of Jonathan’s friends know the truth. However, things shift when a date and a candid discussion about their past relationships reveal the emotional baggage, they both carry. They’re afraid to be vulnerable, and neither is sure if they’re ready to embrace real love.

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read. There were a few slow and occasionally confusing moments, but I found it entertaining. While Jonathan's motives for the marriage felt a bit selfish, I couldn’t blame Anita for going along—who wouldn’t be tempted to marry a millionaire? In the end, it all worked out, and they got their happily ever after. A good read.

 

Rating: 3.5 stars

 

Some of my favorite lines:

 

He shifted in his chair a bit, letting out a long huff. “Look, I know my strategy might look… desperate. Drastic. But I value you, Anita. And value and love are the same.”

My heartbeat lunged. Was he saying he loved me? Even platonically speaking it was enough to floor me.

“I haven’t asked you once how you feel about me,” he continued. “And it’s not because I already know, because I don’t.”

I licked my lips, suddenly shy. Suddenly realizing we were holding hands. 



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Interview with Jacqueline Seewald, Author of THE INHERITANCE

Author’s Bio: Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist. Sixteen of her books of fiction have previously been published to critical praise including books for adults, teens and children. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies. What inspired you to write your book? I enjoy writing romantic mystery fiction. The idea for this particular novel just seemed to evolve organically from my imagination. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? I would have to say reading the Bible was influential. As far as regular books go, I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and...

National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Cherrie Amour

Poet’ s Bio: Cherrie Amour aka Cherrie Woods is a Baltimore-based, award-winning poet known for her candid, narrative verse exploring love, identity, relationships, and the layered complexities of belonging. Her work is featured in her poetry collection, Free to Be Me: Poems on Love, Life and Relationships.   She is the creator of the Words, Wine & Wings Poetry and Open Mic Show and has been featured by FOX45 News, The Baltimore Beacon , and Baltimore City Paper . Her poetry has appeared in Paterson Literary Review , Understorey Magazine , Poet’s Ink , The Pen Woman , The Fire Inside: Collected Poems and Stories from Zora’s Den , America’s Future Anthology , Yellow Arrow Journal , and Maryland in Poetry .   She is currently submitting her new poetry chapbook manuscript, Sit Comfortably Elsewhere , to publishers—a deeply personal collection exploring her life and perspective as a double immigrant.   Deliah Lawrence: When did you first realize poetry was a p...

National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Buddah Desmond

Poet’ s Bio: Buddah Desmond aka BDEZ (he / him / they / them) is an award-winning author, poet, artist, and singer based in the DMV. His writing shares lessons from adversity to triumph and offers messages of hope, love, faith, and persistence. He ’ s the author of multiple poetry collections, including the most recent releases  Everything I Miss(ed) At Home  (2023),  Coming Up From the Downside: Finding Joy in Our Song  (2024), and  Exotic Shifter: 11th Anniversary Edition  (2025).   His writing has appeared in  Creative Currents ,  Rebel ’ s Zeitgeist ,  Liquid Cat Quarterly ,  MelaNation ,  Mixed Mag , and  The Sound of the Collective Pen: A Poetry Anthology by Emerging Voices . He served as a healing leader in the DC-based arts + faith + social justice organization, The Sanctuaries. He ’ s currently a National Board of Trustees At Large Member (Beta Chapter) for the professional arts fraternity, Gamma Xi Phi. ...