This book delivered some unique characters, settings, and holiday celebrations that I really appreciated, alongside a sweet romance that I liked, but didn't love. So let's start with what this book is. Karl is an event planner and a very successful one at that. He's in Kenya to make sure that a wedding his company has been planning goes off without a hitch when he encounters Lin. The two have an instant connection and ultimately wind up working together while trying to resist the allure of the other. Obviously they fail at that because this is a romance novel.

Both Karl and Lin have sort of tragic family histories. Karl's family disowned him essentially and Lin's father died of cancer, her mother left when she was two, and her grandfather has some EXPECTATIONS. The two of them both bond over and avoid talking about their pasts throughout the book, but eventually manage to work through a lot of things. I say that I both did and didn't believe their romance and part of that is because Karl just felt a lot reserved for so long that when he finally gave in, I was like, "Um, so quickly??"

But in terms of the characterization I liked and appreciated, Karl is not straight as he spends quite a bit of time comparing his fascination with Lin with his ex-boyfriend, Isaiah, who has sort of led to him swearing off love. And Lin is Muslim woman, though that aspect of her character doesn't get much page time (literally it gets a sentence). But still! Representation! And then the big event Karl and Lin are working on is a Kwanza themed vow renewal celebration.

So, lots of good things in this book, but overall, it didn't fully bring me in and sweep me along.

This one starts out in Kenya where Lin has her life as an artist and heiress and in comes Karl who is planning her best friend's wedding. She ends up going to Canada to work for Karl with her art for his event planning business. They two go from friends to more, with some chemistry along the way. We get Kenya food, Kwanzaa festivities, and a sweet international romance.

Really enjoyed that he was bi and she was Muslim and it was just normal, very well done by this author! This was also my first time reading Hana and will pick up more of her!

closed door romance

Girl meets boy, girls asks boy to come work for him in Canada, girl arrives in Canada for work, romance ensues!

Lin temporarily moves to Canada to help get her 3D printing business more work by working on an event for Karl and his event planning company. They can't help their growing attraction for each other the longer they spend time together.

This was my first read from Harlequin's romance line. I went in knowing it was a lower heat level than the lines I usually read from and it actually gave me a little bit more than I was expecting. As with many of their books the cover did not match the characters whatsoever. I wish they would improve on that.

This actually delivered holiday romance like it promised. So many times I pick up a holiday romance and it's as if it could've been set during any time of year. Bonus points for it keeping a realistic timeline where they got to know each other for about 2 months and spend Thanksgiving, Christmas and Kwanzaa together. And no engagement at the end of the holiday which is one of my pet peeves!

I liked the beginning of this but my interested waivered a bit in the middle. And then it got my attention back with the family drama which could've given a little bit more on the parent's end. It was very straightforward Karl was right and they were toxic but they didn't even try to plead their case.

Also shout of to making Karl bisexual and not making it a big deal. That's the kind of rep I'm looking for where it's just normal!

I will check out Hana Sheik again.

I really enjoyed this story! I loved the chemistry between Lin and Kal. I typically don't love workplace the relationship trope, but this was so well done! I also enjoyed all of the character development both Lin and Karl went through with their families. I think the conflicts they faced separately (as well as together) wrapped up so nicely in the end! I just wish there was more, I want to know how the long distance worked out beyond the 5 months later epilogue!


*Thank you so much to Harlequin and NetGalley for sending me this ARC to review!*

There are plenty of cozy and sweet holiday romances out there, but not many set during a Kwanzaa celebration so I was tickled to come across this one by a new to me author. A heartwarming friends to lovers beckoned and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

 

Opening in Kenya where Karl, a successful, wealthy event planner is impressed by Lin and asks her to come work for him on a Kwanzaa event back in Canada. In a bid to get some distance to think about family expectations to follow in granddad’s footsteps and because she feels that special something between them, Lin agrees. This pair were an easy fit and worked well together except Lin realizes Karl is shutting her out emotionally and she has no idea what he is thinking. And, on Karl’s end, he’s got his own family issues and is carrying around issues from an ex who did a number on his heart. The clock is ticking down on the seven days of Kwanzaa and toward the time when she must return home. Will they both make peace with family and the past in time to have a future together?

 

I thought their meet cute was fun when he spotted a ‘thief’ and later learned it was Lin as a bridesmaid and then they worked out well. It was so easy and assuming in most ways even as working partners they slipped into the forbidden kisses and feels. I wanted to bop Karl for taking so long to get that Lin was not his ex and he had to deal with that and his family instead of shutting Lin out. But, for all that, this was not a high drama book and I appreciated the author touching on some issues to balance out the sweetness and light holiday feel.

 

This was a fast and easy read with lots of holiday sweetness and a very little sexy. The resolve did come late in the story and it wrapped up quickly, but my expectations and mood were for what I got and I was well pleased for this non-Christmas winter holiday romance and an international couple to add some diversity flavor to my holiday reading. Fun trying a new to me author and I have my eye on her other books that mention more of the international locales and people. You’ll want to consider Forbidden Kisses for your personal stocking stuffer.

I liked this enough. The story didn't focus enough on the romance between Lin and Karl but more on their separate outside issues so it imo made their chemistry on page strained and barely existent. I need more of a development of a relationship between them. If you love a story that is Kwanza focused, then I recommend checking out FKWHMB.

A fresh new voice that needs to be heard. From unpredictable attraction to irresistible romance, Sheik lights the canvas with humor and heart. Forbidden Kisses With Her Millionaire Boss is a sweet escape into a captivating story.

Lin's grandfather wants her to take over his Nairobi business. But she has other dreams—designing and creating art pieces using a 3D printer. When she has the chance to work for event planner Karl, she jumps at the chance—even if it means temporarily relocating to Canada. Will their business arrangement turn to pleasure?

This is an inventive, entertaining, deeply emotional book. The opening pulled me right into this novel, which felt palpable and vibrant throughout. Lin and Karl both have painful memories associated with their parents, which helps them to bond. I enjoyed the characters and the story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for access to this arc

Having read and enjoyed another book from Hana Sheik, I was eager to read this one. I looked forward to the multicultural (hero is a bisexual Christian, the heroine is Muslim), transnational (hero is Canadian and heroine is Kenyan), multi-holiday (Canadian Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa) plot. Unfortunately little of it ended up appealing to me. The hero starts out as a hyper control freak with a long standing hatred of his parents. Granted they do sound like a dual nightmare. He also doesn't appear to be over his first love - the man he loved in college.

The business stuff also seemed "off." I know this is a romance book but it didn't seem realistic when the heroine was able to travel to Canada from Kenya within two weeks with no visa issues or delays. Her business is 3D printing her designs. But we see very little of that once she arrives. Instead the focus is mainly on Karl's family issues. After reading about half of the book, it just wasn't clicking with me. DNF

Thank you to HARLEQUIN - Romance and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about Heiress Lin and her boss Karl. Lin travels from Kenya to work from Karl who is a world renowned tycoon. Their attraction is instant but off limits.
Karl is emotionally closed off and Lin is open to love but it never really seems, to me at least, that they develop a relationship. The story wasn’t about their relationship to me. It seemed to focus more on Karl’s former love interest and his family issue. When the main characters finally figured things out it’s rushed and doesn’t really connect with me.

Sweet and quick. I liked the chemistry between the leads, and the writing is good. You know exactly what you're getting and Hana delivered.