Well, it’s hard to classify this as a second chance romance, folks, despite the fact this main couple had a hot and heavy office fling six years earlier. Way back then and even for a big hunk of time in the present, they still continued to think with their bodies and not their hearts.

Sure, the heroine struck me as someone who was all about second chances. Having been an out of control, wild child, alcoholic teen who was on a self imposed fast track to self destruction, you’ve got to hand it to her for jumping off that crazy train into the real world. Being from a wealthy family, who gave her everything but their time and attention, Audrey’s mommy and daddy issues still seem to haunt her. Her crudeness at times though had me thinking she hadn’t completely morphed into a respectable adult.

I didn’t know what to make of finding out about Jason and Audrey’s past history. That knowledge cheapened their relationship in my eyes, especially because it was all lust and no love. The immature way they handled their first breakup had me not particularly liking either one of them. Throw in the fact they obviously were not celibate and continued to work together over the years while seeing one another with other people, like it was no big deal, hardly set the stage for another go at things.

Jason’s obvious insecurities over his legit sad childhood had me thinking these two could benefit from some group counseling where everyone holds hands and confesses Mommy and Daddy didn’t love me enough. He certainly had more of a reason to despised his dad, but surprisingly did the honorable thing and put that behind him considering this father’s current situation.

At 70%, I realized not only was I not overly endeared to this couple, but I was getting extremely bored. There just didn’t seem much of a reason to continue this one, my fellow romance book loving friends. I am intrigued by William, Audrey’s recently divorced brother. Here’s to hoping he gets his own HEA some day.

Title: Nailed, Series: Worked Up (Book 2), Author: Cora Brent, Pages: 253, stand-alone but part of a series, former reckless/wild child/alcoholic teen turned hard working adult, bad dad childhood hero, very steamy scenes, picks up six years after an office fling, first person heroine POV.

Book 1 - Fired
Book 2 - Nailed

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

4.5 Stars!

​​​​​Nailed is the second standalone book from Cora Brent's Worked Up series, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. Office romances are one of my favorite tropes and Ms. Brent executes this one quite well.

Project managers Audrey Gordon and Jason Roma used to be more than friends, and then they weren't. Over the years, they avoided each other like the plague, while successfully climbing to the top of the corporate ladder. Because of their proven results, they have been teamed up to oversee the firm's largest and most challenging project to date. Their attraction remains as lustful as ever, as they get to know each other once again and find their forever happiness.

This is an well-written novel, and Audrey and Jason are interesting, complex and genuine. They are a hot and fun couple, both in the bedroom and on the construction site. Audrey's family's tragedy was heartbreaking, and as a result, I could not stop the waterworks. Audrey's nephews were beyond cute, and I found myself chuckling whenever they were part of the dialogue. If you enjoy a book with emotion and passion, then Nailed is for you.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

This is the 2nd book in this amazing series, and is Audrey and Jason’s story. Both of these characters are project managers for the same construction company and they have a history together, which results in a love / hate relationship. I loved the banter between these two, and how their relationship grew as a couple. This is a well written and fast paced story, which is sweet and emotional, and had me hooked and enthralled throughout. I highly recommend this authors’ work for all readers, and cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

This is book 2 in the “Worked Up” series but can be read as a standalone.
The best way to describe this book is a slow, torturous burn. The tension between Jason and Audrey was stifling. The thick sexual tension between them was scorching. Ms. Brent has an uncanny way of meshing sweet romance with strong emotional undertones. I loved the dynamic between these two characters, the push and pull of their relationship was quite fascinating to read. I love how they end up coming together and Audrey finally heals the wounds from her past. The story was fast paced and believable. You could not not root for these two! Ms. Brent always delivers amazing, heartfelt stories that give you hope in love. This is another don’t miss out story by a talented storyteller.

I absolutely LOVED Nailed!!!

Audrey and Jason have been rivals almost since they started working together. No one they work with knows about the brief fling that they had in the past. Everything about their interactions is gold: funny, challenging, full of fire and explosive passion, and downright entertaining.

From the second I started this book, I was sucked in and couldn't put it down. After meeting Jason in Fired, I was really excited to learn more about the man behind the charm and sass and he certainly did not disappoint. He's certainly a charmer but he's also a champion and a true romantic. Audrey is driven and smart and one of the strongest heroines I've ever had the pleasure to read. I really hope there's more to this series because I don't want to say goodbye to these characters yet!!!

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

Cora Brent has done it again! She has brought us another emotional and sweet romance. This is the story of Audrey and Jason. They are both project managers at the same construction company and it seems at first that Audrey is really not a fan of Jason's but they have history. These characters are so well written, I was really able to connect to them especially Audrey. She had a rough past, that is still effecting her, and a lot of family issues. At times my heart broke for her. It turns out Jason is exactly who she needs and vice versa. I really loved and enjoyed this book.

This is a well written, entertaining read. An enemies to lovers romance that focuses on Audrey and Jason. These two are complex characters, they both have painful pasts and have history together. I must be honest and say I found it very difficult to connect with Audrey. To me she seemed cold and unlikable. As her backstory is revealed, it becomes somewhat understandable, but I never really could like her. Jason was sexy, but also a bit of a jerk to start. He did grow on me as the story unfolded. It was of course great to revisit Dominic and Melanie (from Fired, book #1). Audrey's brother I thought was a great character and would love to see him get his own story. Does contain quite a bit of drama, a bit of steaminess and some touching moments, but in the end this was a slow read for me that never gave me the connection I look forward to from a really great read.

Cora's books are always so much fun and entertaining to read with just the perfect amount of chemistry, steam and tons of drama that you just keep those pages turning. Nailed is well written with the whole enemies to lovers second chance romance thing going on. Learning all about Jason and Audrey's pasts puts everything in perspective, but can they get over the past and move on professionally and personally, well that is the biggest question here. Loved seeing Dom and Mel from Fired in here. This is book 2 but can be read as a standalone for sure. But Dom and Mel are great so read Fired too if you want their story. I really liked William so hope to see the single dad get his own story. I liked it!

Nailed (Worked up Book 2)
By: Cora Brent
📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

What could happen if you let someone in?

First and probably foremost Cora Brent is an incredible writer. She has the ability to make whatever she writes believable from beginning to end and it’s full of angst, passion and love. Already a huge fan of hers it was easy to get sucked into the Worked Up series and love Nailed as much as her previously written tales. I added the authors blurb because reality is she explained it better than I ever could.

Authors Blurb: The good news: Audrey Gordon has just received a dream assignment managing one of the city’s largest construction projects.
The bad news: She’ll be teamed up with cocky office rival and former lover Jason Roma.
Audrey’s got a lot to prove to herself and to her overachieving family. She’s certainly not going to let arrogant Jason Roma get in the way of her success, despite the fact that he never passes up an opportunity to get under her skin. Audrey swears she’ll keep Jason at arm’s length, no matter how fast her pulse races whenever he walks into the room.
However, Jason seems to have his own ideas about what Audrey needs. He’s determined to win another chance with her and prove that he’s not the callous jerk she thinks he is.
But when a personal tragedy shakes Audrey to her core, will she push Jason away forever? Or will she learn a few lessons about love and finally let him into her heart?

I really enjoyed this book, it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in Her POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks you Netgally for letting me read and review.

Nailed , I loved a great enemies to lovers story and Cora Nailed it !
Audrey is a strong, intelligent making her way in the world of construction as a project manager. She has to prove herself everyday to keep up in this world. Men are either hitting on her or looking down on her for her brain and great ideas .
Jason is a playboy he always was looking for a good time until he is now working again with Audrey . They had a past , friends with benefits but Audrey thought it best to move on and work on her career. Well here they are working side by side and Jason thinks that Audrey is the one that got away and his playboy days are numbered . They had a fabulous witty banter but as the story progressed we began to see a softer side of our playboy!
Great Read !
~~Michele McMullen ~~

Audrey and Jason had a 3-week sex marathon that ended with hard feelings and because they worked for the same company it was hard to put it behind them. Then 6 years later they are forced to work together on the same project. You know the old saying “there’s a fine line between love and hate” ... well one minute Audrey and Jason were yelling at each other and the next they were in a heated embrace unable to keep their hands off each other.

This is a sweet down to earth romance with a side of steam. I really enjoyed the banter between Audrey and Jason. And the side story of Audrey’s brother William was so sad ... I sure hope he gets his own book because that’s a story waiting to be told.

I received an ARC courtesy of Montlake Romance through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

This is a really great story! Wonderfully written with some pretty amazing characters in Jason and Audrey. Both are hardworking career driven people but Audrey has kicked it up a notch while trying to drive away old demons. Neither is looking for a relationship yet they can't deny the spark that's been burning over the last six years. When they get paired up to oversee a large project, spending a ton of time together, has that spark growing to a full burn. As feelings begin to grow, Jason isn't sure he'll ever get Audrey to see there is more to life than work but he's determined to try. When tragedy strikes everything becomes crystal clear for both of them.

A great story with a nice amount of steam and little angst made this a very entertaining book. I highly recommend this one.

Enjoyed it
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Enemies to lovers
Part of a series: Worked Up
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

I am a big fan of Cora Brent's writing, particularly her Gentry Boys series, so I thought I'd give Nailed a try. Audrey is a career focused project manager at an architecture firm, where she works with Jason, with whom she used to share a friends with benefits type relationship. She also trained him at the architecture firm. Once they stopped sleeping together, Audrey decided to hate Jason forever, so when they are paired together on a major project, things don't go too well. Sparks reignite, and that causes other problems for the pair.

Overall I really liked this book, but I had a few problems with Audrey being overfocused on her job and just taking Jason and his awesomeness for granted. She has to deal with an ex-boyfriend who wants to rekindle the flames, and isn't as clear as she should be with Jason. I did grow to like Audrey a lot more by the end of the book, and I loved getting to see Melanie and Dominic from Fired, so I'd definitely recommend this book!

I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review

I thought Nailed was a solid story, but I did find it a little hard to get into and to connect with. But saying that I did get drawn in fairly quickly and the story did keep me engaged.

Plus, the characters were likable, Jason more so than Audrey if I'm honest. Yet I did grow to like Audrey more as this story progressed. However, I did feel there wasn't a lot of chemistry between the pair.

As for the actual story, it was enjoyable to read, not to mention a little emotional. As well as being an entertaining, fun workplace romance. That also had some nice secondary characters, including Audreys brother William and nephews Issac and Leo.

And I would recommend Nailed to others. Especially to anyone who is a fan of this author or who has read and enjoyed the first book in this series. Which features Jasons best friend Dominic.

I really enjoyed reading this. A little bit of suspense added to the romance storyline.

Audrey Gordon makes no excuses for her tireless work ethic. As a top project manager for Lester & Brown, she takes pride in the endless time she devotes to her job. So when her boss springs a partner on her for a huge upcoming construction project, she is less than pleased. Especially with having to work in close quarters with sexy and infuriating, Jason Roma...

The rivalry between Audrey and Jason has been years in the making, but they weren't always so at odds with each other. Jason has a way of getting under Audrey's skin and making her feel reckless. And she knows firsthand what bad things can happen when her reckless side takes over...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was a really great book. Audrey has spent years trying to make up for the mistakes she made in her past. Devoting her life to her career is the one thing she has found that is fulfilling and makes her feel like she is focusing on the right path.

When Jason first comes to work at Lester & Brown they both act on their desire for each other and start a short lived friends-with-benefits relationship, which ends very badly. Now, with years of resentment between them, Audrey is completely thrown for a loop when she realizes that Jason isn't quite the arrogant jerk she thought he was....

Jason is such a sweet a sexy guy who stands up for Audrey at every turn and teaches her what it's like to be able to rely on someone other than herself. But, old habits die hard and Audrey's self control will be put to the test...

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

What a fantastic book this is. I couldn’t stop reading it once I had started. Impossible to put down I can tell you lol. Author has done such a brilliant job with this book and should be so proud as I know it’s going to be a popular book to pick up and read. The characters are what make this book as their interactions, the chemistry and the romance was just perfect and had me glued to the pages as I felt I was on the journey with them instead of just reading about their story. Loved the storyline, I could picture the whole story while I was reading this book. Overall one fantastic and superb book that I would definitely recommend to everyone

Book 2 in the "Worked Up" series, Audrey Gordon has a great job as a Project Manager, and if they can get this job would up without any troubles, then she has great hopes that she will land the Project Manager job for the downtown courthouse project but little did she know that she would be working with an old flame, Jason Roma a man who she has tried not to engage with for the last six years and one that could literally tempt her back to the bottle, something she has worked years to stay off.

This book has lots going on in it, family angst, old lovers and rivals, heartbreak, trouble on the job and plenty of new loving too.

Thoroughly enjoyable as you would expect from any Cora Brent book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake Romance for the opportunity to read and review this book.

NAILED is an enjoyable, second-chance-at-love contemporary romance told from Audrey's first person point of view. There are some light moments, like the banter between Audrey and Jason, that were pretty funny and a wicked delight to read, as well as some tragedy to highlight the important things in life.

I don't particularly like second chance romances, but NAILED is written well, and maybe it helped that the first time Audrey and Jason got together wasn't really a romance. Still, it was nice to see a role reversal here in that it's Jason who got these romantic feelings first, and he had to seduce Audrey into seeing things his way. Audrey was slower on the uptake, probably because of her past, which had made her wary.