Alicia Michaels is determined to prove she has what it takes to be a great PR rep. However, teaming up with Richmond Crawford is more than she bargained for, especially when he's on her mind more than doing a good job. Yet, when their pasts come back to haunt them, will they continue to fight for their chance at happy ever after or will the pair walk away from each other?

When I started reading this book, I could not get into it. Yet, in saying that, I did liked the way this story progressed and found that it really took off once the hero's ex-wife and someone from the heroine's past began to cause trouble for the pair's growing relationship. Will the hero and heroine be able to find a way to fight back against someone wanting to hurt their chance of happy ever after?

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, as both the hero and heroine have been through tough times that still have a huge impact on them. Since the heroine has kept some details of her life from the people that have always been there for her while the hero is still dealing with the fallout of information he's learnt when it comes to his family. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I liked how determined she was to resist the hero because her job is important to her and she wants to do the best job she can. I also liked the close friendships she shares with some of the secondary characters and the way they tease her about her relationship with Richmond. Will they be able to convince her that she deserves to be happy and that she should give the hero a chance?

While the hero, he's confident, had it rough because his ex-wife is an absolute witch that doesn't know how to let go because she isn't getting what she wants out of him, and I liked how determined the hero was to win the heroine over because he's had feelings for her ever since they met. Will Alicia give the hero a chance? I also liked the close relationship the hero had with his brother and that his brother was willing to do anything to support him through thick and thin, especially when it comes to dealing with Richmond's ex-wife. However, there were moments where I was frustrated by the hero because he was willing to do whatever it takes to make sure his newest venture took off, even if it meant dealing with people that could end up hurting his chances instead of helping him such as a certain politician that doesn't like Alicia all that much.

Overall, Ms. Hodges has delivered a read that I liked and where the connection between this couple was there from the beginning; the romance was nicely-detailed and had me loving that Alicia took a chance on Richmond; and the ending had me loving the heroine's courage to fight the people trying to cause trouble for her and Richmond's relationship. Then again, what's a better way than to fight fire with fire or in her case see that her ex can no longer hurt her the way she does. Certainly, there are great ways she can protect herself and what she does is definitely the way. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, as Alicia and Richmond have found the happiness they both deserve. I would recommend Strategic Seduction by Cheris Hodges, if you enjoy the friends to lovers trope, workplace romances, boss-employee romances or books by authors Elle Wright, AC Arthur, Deborah Fletcher Mello and Synithia Williams.

Loved the Atlanta setting and the sexy "enemies" to "business associates" to "lovers" romance. I always appreciate when both the hero and heroine have dynamic, powerful careers that they are unwilling to sacrifice, even for each other.

Ms. Hodges brings us the story of Alicia Michaels and Richmond Crawford. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl try to fight their attraction. With some guess appearances from the Crawfords and other friends, this book was just blah. All of Ms. Hodges other books focusing on these group of friends were more fiery. This story was lacking the same chemistry as the other books. Alicia and Richmond were like two unlikely people to form a relationship, but they did. Overall, it was nice catching up with the other friends. It was not a bad book, but it was not that great either.

DNF this one. I tried to get into it buuut it just wasn't holding my attention. There was a lot of head hopping going on which made it sort of confusing to read when you think you're getting Richmon'ds POV but then you're suddenly in Alicia's on the same page.

This also felt like part of a series? There some backstory there with alicia's friends that leads me to think this. Although, i dont see any indication it is part of a series so it feels sort of like we were dropped in the middle of an already occurring story.

Alicia is in Atlanta trying to build her reputation as a successful PR rep. One of her best friends introduces Alicia to her brother in law, Richmond. Alicia agrees to show Richmond around as he has just relocated from New York. The two start up an easy friendship that leads to something more.

The premise of the book sounds good. Two career minded people working on a project together. They fight and have this amazing tension and chemistry together. Sounds like a winner? Yes, but unfortunately this was not the case here. Alicia and Richmond fall into an easy work relationship and spend most of their time together. They eventually fall into bed and proclaim their love for one another.

The author throws in a contrived blackmail scheme that falls short to bring some drama and angst to the situation. I didn’t understand why Richmond didn’t call anyone in to help as he has all of this money and resources. He continued to entertain his blackmailer. The whole scheme was wrapped up too nicely at the end.

I hate when I’m utterly disappointed in a book. This one just didn’t measure up. The writing style is very basic. The characters fell flat and I didn’t connect with the main characters or the entourage of secondary characters. They all acted like college students who were in each other’s business. Overall, the story is forgettable and I don’t recommend this to anyone.

~ Samantha

We have two individuals who can't seem to agree on anything and unfortunately they have to work together. Alicia Michaels is starting over in Atlanta and she needs this to work but they are attracted to each other but will try and fight it.. Richmond has been betrayed before and he is not going down that road again. Or is he?

Alicia Michaels needs a major career boost and starting over in Atlanta is an uphill battle especially since she has to team up with wealthy Richmond Crawford. She and Richmond can’t seem to agree anything except the sizzling attraction between them.

Playing by the rules in the past got Richmond betrayal and heartbreak. He sets out to prove he can be his own man and to keep things strictly-business with Alicia.